Karnataka PGET Anesthesia MCQ Answer 1

The correct answer is B

EMLA (eutectic mixture of LA - lignocaine and prilocaine) can produce anaesthesia on the skin.

PRILOCAINE (2-propylamino-o-propionotoluidide hydrochloride).

Commercial name: Citanest.

Indications: Prilocaine can be used for infiltration and nerve block local anesthesia.It is not suitable for topical use.

The onset and duration of action of prilocaine is more rapid and longer than that of lidocaine (in infiltrations, an onset action of less than 2 minutes).

Precautions and toxicity:

One of the metabolites of prilocaine is ortho-toluidine, which can produce methemoglobinemia. In adults, significant levels of methemoglobin are produced only by high doses, therefore, there is little risk of methemoglobinemia when prilocain is used for routine procedures.

Alternative agents should be used in the debilitated, the elderly, children, or pregnant patients and in patients with heart disease, an existing condition of methemoglobinemia, or respiratory difficulty.

Prilocaine is slightly less toxic and less potent that lidocaine. Prilocaine should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to amide-type local anesthetic, must be used with caution also in patients with liver disease.

Category: Karnataka PGET 2007 MCQs