benzocaine/menthol oropharyngeal (OTC)

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to benzocaine or other anesthetic esters (eg, procaine)

Cautions

Discontinue if swelling, rash, or fever develops

Discontinue if irritation, pain, or redness persist or worsens, or if symptoms do not improve in 7 days

Do not use for >7 days unless directed by dentist/physician

Pregnancy Category: C

Lactation: not known if distributed in milk

Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice of health professional before using OTC drugs

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.

Mechanism of Action

Benzocaine and menthol are topical anesthetics that reversibly block nerve conduction near their site of administration, thereby producing temporary loss of sensation in a limited area

Absorption

Bioavailability: Skin and mucosal absorption is highly variable; most anesthetic agents exist as solids and are only superficially absorbed through intact skin