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How does benzocaine give you instant pain relief? Where does this miracle drug come from?
Benzocaine, a well-known local anesthetic, is widely used in analgesic products, including throat sprays and mouth ulcer ointments, and is effective in relieving local pain. However, the origins of benzocaine and exactly how this wonder drug works are not well known.
Benzocaine was first synthesized in Germany in 1890, and has a history of more than a hundred years. It was licensed for medical use in 1902.
Medical Uses
Benzocaine is primarily used to treat a variety of pain-related conditions, including:
- Local anesthesia of the oropharyngeal mucosa (sore throat, ulcers, etc.) Earache
- Local anesthesia for surgery or procedures
- Skin pain caused by sunburn or hangnails
Benzocaine is often combined with other drugs, such as antipyretic ingredients to form ear drops, which can effectively relieve ear pain and help remove earwax.
Common combination medications with benzocaine include Cepacol, which contains mint and benzocaine and is used to treat sore throats.
Other Applications
In addition to its analgesic uses, benzocaine is used in some unique products, such as:
- Certain ear medications to help remove excess earwax
- Former weight loss product Ayds
- Condoms designed to delay premature ejaculation in men
Benzocaine works by inhibiting nerve sensitivity to prolong the duration of sexual activity, a property that has attracted attention for its use in certain products.
Side Effects
Although benzocaine is generally safe and nontoxic when used as recommended, it can cause serious side effects if used in excess, including:
-
Epilepsy
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
High concentrations of benzocaine products may also cause methimoglobinemia, a condition in which the amount of oxygen carried in the blood is significantly reduced, especially in children under two years old.
The FDA therefore recommends that benzocaine products should not be used in children under two years of age without the guidance of a medical professional, which is also emphasized in European guidelines.
Pharmacology
The mechanism of action of benzocaine is that it can inhibit the voltage-gated sodium channels on the nerve cell membrane, thereby preventing the transmission of pain signals. This process greatly reduces the excitability of the nerves, so the patient experiences less pain.
Historical BackgroundThe synthesis of benzocaine originated in Germany. It was first synthesized by chemist Edward Ritzter in 1890 and put on the market in 1902. It has been widely used in the global medical field to this day.
The chemical structure of benzocaine is ethyl ester of p-aminobenzoic acid, and this structural feature makes it very suitable for clinical use.
Benzocaine remains a key pain reliever in today's medical practice, particularly in veterinary medicine, where benzocaine and its derivatives are often used to anesthetize amphibians for surgery.
In summary, the wide application of benzocaine is not only due to its excellent pharmacological properties, but also benefits from its long development history. Faced with the efficacy and risks of this magical drug, is it possible to find a safer way to use benzocaine in the future? This has become a question worth pondering.
