benzocaine oropharyngeal (OTC)

Brand and Other Names:Anbesol, Orajel Adult, more...Anbesol Baby, Anbesol Cold Sore Therapy, Anbesol Jr, Baby Orajel Teething Nighttime Formula, Baby Orajel Teething Pain Gel, Baby Orajel Teething Swabs, Baby Orajel Teething Pain Liquid, Benzodent, Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat, Cepacol Sensations Hydra, Cepacol Sensations Warming, Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges, Kids Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lollipops, Maximum Strength Anbesol, Orabase, Orajel Mouth-Aid, Orajel Cold Sore Cream, Orajel Regular Strength Toothache Pain Relief, Orajel Maximum Strength Toothache Pain Relief, Viroxyn Professional Use

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

ointment

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

gel

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

liquid

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

paste/cream

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

oral spray

  • 5%

lozenge

  • 3mg (Cepacol Sensations Hydra)
  • 4mg (Cepacol Sensations Warming)
  • 6mg (Kids Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lollipops)
  • 15mg (Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges)

Dental/Gum Pain/Cold Sores

Apply to gum/oral mucosa, allow to remain in place for 1 minute, then expectorate

May apply up to 4 times/day; not to exceed 7 days

Lozenge: Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in mouth; may repeat q2hr prn

Pharyngitis

Oral spray: Spray into oral mucosa (about 0.5 seconds); may repeat up to QID

Lozenge: Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in mouth; may repeat q2hr prn

Dosage Forms & Strengths

ointment

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

gel

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

liquid

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

paste

  • 7.5%
  • 10%
  • 20%

oral spray

  • 5%

lozenge

  • 3mg (Cepacol Sensations Hydra)
  • 4mg (Cepacol Sensations Warming)
  • 6mg (Kids Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lollipops)
  • 15mg (Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges)

Teething

2 years or older: Apply to gum/oral mucosa, allow to remain in place for 1 minute, then expectorate

May apply up to QID; not to exceed 7 days

Pharyngitis

Oral spray (2 years or older): Spray into oral mucosa (about 0.5 seconds); may repeat up to QID

Lozenge (5 years or older): Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in mouth; may repeat q2hr prn

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Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Burning

Contact dermatitis

Erythema

Pruritus

Rash

Stinging

Tenderness

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Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Cross-sensitivity to other ester local anesthetics (eg, procaine) or PABA-containing products

Cautions

Contact physician if pharyngitis persists >48 hr

Avoid eyes

Rare reports of methemoglobinemia

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Local anesthetic; decreases the neuronal membrane's permeability to sodium ions, which inhibits depolarization and subsequently blocks conduction of nerve impulses

Absorption

Higher absorption at mucous membranes and traumatized skin; poor absorption at intact skin

Metabolism

Via hydrolysis by cholinesterase into metabolites

Elimination

Excretion: Urine (metabolites)

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Images

No images available for this drug.
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Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.