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Chapter-21 Local Anaesthetics

BOOK TITLE: Textbook of Pharmacology for Dental and Allied Health Sciences

Author
1. Udaykumar Padmaja
ISBN
9788184481495
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10941_21
Edition
2/e
Publishing Year
2007
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
1. Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Local anesthetics are drugs that block nerve conduction when applied locally to nerve tissue in appropriate concentrations. Their action is completely reversible. They act on every type of nerve fibre and can cause both sensory and motor paralysis in the innervated area. The primary mechanism of action is blockade of voltage gated sodium channels. Depending on the concentration attained in the plasma, any LA can produce systemic effects. Local anesthetics are rapidly absorbed from the mucous membranes and abraded skin. Hypersensitivity reactions, hypotension, confusion, disorientation, anxiety, convulsions and respiratory failure can result from large doses. Depending on the site and technique of the administration LA can be surface anesthesia, infiltration anesthesia, field block, nerve block, spinal, epidural or intravenous regional anesthesia.

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