Benzocaine
What is it?
Benzocaine is classified as an ester anesthetic (numbing agent) and used primarily as a topical anesthetic.
How do I avoid it?
You should avoid all products claiming topical relief of pain or itching unless the product is clearly labeled, and benzocaine and tetracaine are not included as an ingredient. Topical numbing agents that contain only dibucaine or lidocaine may be safe to use.
You may have a serious reaction to related anesthetic agents derived from benzoic acid when given by injection from dentists, physicians, or other healthcare workers. You should be able to tolerate other chemically unrelated agents without difficulty, including lidocaine and mepivacaine. Benzocaine and tetracaine-sensitive persons may also have to avoid:
- PABA and PABA ester containing sunscreens
- Permanent hair dye (p-Phenylenediamine)
- Certain diuretics or fluid pills (Hydrochlorothiazide)
- Oral antibiotic medications (Sulfonylureas)
- Certain antibiotics, including sulfa drugs
- Azo and aniline dyes
- Important cardiac medication (Procainamide)
Uses:
- Skincare products
- Aftershave lotions
- Astringents and analgesics
- Burn and sunburn remedies
- Itching rash remedies, including poison ivy treatments
- Sunscreen preparations
- Cough/Sore throat tablets, drops, lozenges, and sprays
- Hemorrhoidal creams, suppositories, and enemas
- Ear preparation
- Vaginal preparation
- Oral and gum products
- Teething, toothache
- Canker sores
- Cold sores
- Denture irritation
- Oral antibacterial agents
- Podiatric products for athlete’s foot, corns, calluses, and warts
- Ear drops
- Medications
- Appetite suppressant
Other names for Benzocaine or Benzocaine-containing medications:
- Aethoform
- Americaine
- Anaesthesin
- Anbesol
- Anestezin
- Anesthesin
- Anivy
- Appedrine
- Arkodyne
- Cepacol
- Cetacaine
- Dermoplast
- Ethoform
- Ethyl aminobenzoate
- Ethyl PABA
- Ethyl p-aminobenzoate
- Geri-Care Gels
- Hurricaine
- Identhesin
- Keloform
- Norcaine
- Lanacane
- Orabase
- Orajel
- Orthesin
- P-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA_ethyl ester)
- Parathesin
- Solarcaine
- Topex
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Other Ester Anesthetics
- Butacaine
- Butethamine HCl (monocaine)
- Cinchocaine (Cincaine, dibucaine, Percaine, Sovcaine)
- Isobucaine
- Meapaine
- Meprylcaine (Oracaine)
- Metabutethamine (Unacaine)
- Neo-Orthoform
- Para-Aminobenzoic acid and glyceryl PABA
- Para-Aminosalicylic acid
- Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)
- Procaine HCL (Novocain)
- Oricaubanud (Pronestyl)—used for treating irregular heart rates
- Propoxycaine (Ravocaine) with 2% Procaine
- Sulfonamides
- Tetracaine
- AZO and aniline dyes
- Dibucaine
- Chloro procaine HCl (Nesacaine)
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Sulfonylureas (chlorpropamide)
MC4999-62
