Prilocaine
Prilocaine is a local anesthetic of the amino amide type first prepared by Claes Tegner and Nils Löfgren. In its injectable form, it is often used in dentistry. It is also often combined with lidocaine as a topical preparation for dermal anesthesia, for treatment of conditions like paresthesia. As it has low cardiac toxicity, it is commonly used for intravenous regional anaesthesia.Contraindications
In some patients, ortho-toluidine, a metabolite of prilocaine, may cause methemoglobinemia, which may be treated with methylene blue. Prilocaine may also be contraindicated in people with sickle cell anemia, anemia, or symptomatic hypoxia.Combinations
It is given as a combination with the vasoconstrictor epinephrine under the trade name Citanest Forte. It is used as an eutectic mixture with lidocaine, 50% w/w, as lidocaine/prilocaine. The mixture is an oil with a melting point of. A 5% emulsion preparation, containing 2.5% each of lidocaine/prilocaine, is marketed by APP Pharmaceuticals under the trade name EMLA.Compendial status
