Tetracaine

Tetracaine
Clinical data
Trade names	Pontocaine, Ametop, Dicaine, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682640
License data	US DailyMed: Tetracaine;
Pregnancy; category	AU: B2;
Routes of; administration	Topical
ATC code	C05AD02 (WHO) D04AB06 (WHO) N01BA03 (WHO) S01HA03 (WHO);
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only) / S2; BR: Class C1 (Other controlled substances); US: ℞-only; In general: ℞ (Prescription only);
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	75.6
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl 4-(butylamino)benzoate;
CAS Number	94-24-6 ; as HCl: 136-47-0 ;
PubChem CID	5411;
DrugBank	DB09085 ;
ChemSpider	5218 ;
UNII	0619F35CGV; as HCl: 5NF5D4OPCI ;
KEGG	D00551 ; as HCl: D00741 ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:9468 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL698 ;
PDB ligand	TE4 (PDBe, RCSB PDB);
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1043883 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.002.106
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C15H24N2O2
Molar mass	264.369 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES O=C(OCCN(C)C)c1ccc(NCCCC)cc1;
	InChI InChI=1S/C15H24N2O2/c1-4-5-10-16-14-8-6-13(7-9-14)15(18)19-12-11-17(2)3/h6-9,16H,4-5,10-12H2,1-3H3 ; Key:GKCBAIGFKIBETG-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	(verify)

Tetracaine, also known as amethocaine, is an ester local anesthetic used to numb the eyes, nose, or throat. It may also be applied to the skin before starting intravenous therapy to decrease pain from the procedure. Typically it is applied as a liquid to the area. Onset of effects when used in the eyes is within 30 seconds and last for less than 15 minutes.

Common side effects include a brief period of burning at the site of use. Allergic reactions may uncommonly occur. Long-term use is generally not recommended as it may slow healing of the eye. It is unclear if use during pregnancy is safe for the baby. Tetracaine is in the ester-type local anesthetic family of medications. It works by blocking the sending of nerve impulses.

Tetracaine was patented in 1930 and came into medical use in 1941. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines