A local anesthetic that is similar pharmacologically to lidocaine. Currently, it is used most often for infiltration anesthesia in dentistry. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p165)
Indication
Used as a local anaesthetic and is often used in dentistry.
Pharmacology
Prilocaine binds to the intracellular surface of sodium channels which blocks the subsequent influx of sodium into the cell. Action potential propagation and never function is, therefore, prevented. This block is reversible and when the drug diffuses away from the cell, sodium channel function is restored and nerve propagation returns.
Affected Organisms
Humans and other mammals
Protein Binding
98%
Elimination
Prilocaine is metabolized in both the liver and the kidney and excreted via the kidney.
Research Area: Neurological Disease Biological Activity: Prilocaine is a local anesthetic of the amino amide type. It is often used in dentistry. It is also often combined with lidocaine as a preparation for dermal anesthesia (lidocaine/prilocaine or EMLA), for treatment of conditions like paresthesia. As it has low cardiac toxicity, it is commonly used for intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA). [1]