What local anesthetics contain sulfites?

Recently, the injectable local anesthetics procain and novacain which contain sulfites have been shown to cause allergic reactions.

Can you use Septocaine with sulfa allergy?

Septocaine is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to products containing sulfites. Products containing sulfites may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people.

Is there sulfa in local anesthetic?

There is no cross-allergenicity between sulfites and the “sulfa”-type antibiotics (sulfonimides). Specific mention must be made of articaine HCl, an amide local anesthetic that contains a sulfur molecule in its chemical structure (Figure 2).

Does wine have sulfa?

Sulfites occur naturally in most wines. They’re also used as a preservative in other foods. Sulfites and sulfa medications are chemically unrelated, but they can both cause allergic reactions in people.

What are the two classes of local anesthetics?

Two basic classes of local anesthetics exist, the amino amides and the amino esters. Amino amides have an amide link between the intermediate chain and the aromatic end, whereas amino esters have an ester link between the intermediate chain and the aromatic end.

What do dentists use instead of lidocaine?

Anesthetics that belong in the ester group can be used if patients know they are allergic to lidocaine or another amide medication. If they are unsure, using diphenhydramine can provide adequate relief as well.

Why is Novocaine no longer used?

Novocaine is no longer used due to the increased time it takes to work, how long it is effective and its chances of causing allergic reactions. Lidocaine and Septocaine are our preferred anesthetics due to their faster onset time, longer acting time and very minimal chance of allergic reactions.

Can you be allergic to dental anesthetic?

Allergic responses to the amide local anaesthetics used in dentistry are extremely rare. Many series of patients investigated for ‘suspected allergy’ have been reported,4,5,6 but in the vast majority of cases, hypersensitivity to the local anaesthetic agents was excluded.

Can you be allergic to local anesthetic?

In very rare cases, you could have an allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic or develop serious problems, such as fits (seizures) or a cardiac arrest (when the heart stops pumping blood around the body).

How local anesthetics are classified?

Local anaesthetics are categorised into two different classes based on their structure: para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)–based anaesthetics known as esters and non-PABA-based anaesthetics are termed amide local anaesthetics [1]. Ester local anaesthetics include: Benzocaine. Chloroprocaine.