Benzocaine, sold under the brand name Orajel amongst others, is a local anesthetic, belonging to the amino ester drug class, commonly used as a topical painkiller or in cough drops. It is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter anesthetic ointments such as products for oral ulcers. It is combined with antipyrine to form A/B ear drops. In the US, products containing benzocaine for oral application are contraindicated in children younger than two years old.
It was first synthesised in 1890 in Germany and approved for medical use in 1902.
Benzocaine is a voltage gated sodium channel blocker, reducing neural activity. It is indicated to treat a variety of pain-related conditions. It may be used for:
Local anesthesia of oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes (sore throat, cold sores, mouth ulcers, toothache, sore gums, denture irritation)
Surgical or procedural local anesthesia
Relief of skin pain caused by sunburn, ingrown toenails, hemorrhoids,
Examples of combination medications of benzocaine include:
Antipyrine-benzocaine otic consists of antipyrine and benzocaine, and is used to relieve ear pain and remove earwax.
Cepacol consists of menthol and benzocaine, and is used to treat sore throat.
A solution of benzocaine and menthol is marketed for the treatment of bee stings, mosquito bites, jellyfish stings, and other insect bites
Benzocaine is used as a key ingredient in numerous pharmaceuticals:
Some glycerol-based ear medications for use in removing excess wax as well as relieving ear conditions such as otitis media and swimmer's ear.
Some previous diet products such as Ayds.
Some condoms designed to prevent premature ejaculation. Benzocaine largely inhibits sensitivity on the penis, and can allow for an erection to be maintained longer (in a continuous act) by delaying ejaculation. Conversely, an erection will also fade faster if stimulus is interrupted.
Benzocaine mucoadhesive patches have been used in reducing orthodontic pain.
In Poland it is included, together with menthol and zinc oxide, in the liquid powder (not to be confused with the liquid face powder) used mainly after mosquito bites. Today's ready-made Pudroderm was once used there as pharmaceutical compound.
Benzocaine can come in a variety of preparations including:
Lozenges (ex. Cepacol, Chloraseptic)