The key difference between Lidocaine and Tetracaine is that Lidocaine is a suitable anesthetic for patients who are sensitive to ester-type anesthetics, whereas Tetracaine is an ester-type anesthetic useful as an anesthetic.
Lidocaine is a type of local anaesthetic that helps to numb the tissues of a specific area in the body. Tetracaine is a medication useful in numbing the eyes, nose, or throat.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lidocaine
3. What is Tetracaine
4. Lidocaine vs Tetracaine in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Lidocaine vs Tetracaine
What is Lidocaine?
Lidocaine is a type of local anaesthetic that helps to numb the tissues of a specific area in the body. We often use it as a regional anaesthetic. Furthermore, the most common trade name for this compound is Xylocaine. The metabolism of this compound occurs in the liver. Its elimination half-life is about two hours, while the duration of action is around 10 to 20 minutes.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Lidocaine
Moreover, the chemical formula of Lidocaine is C14H22N2O. The molar mass of the compound is 234.34 g/mol. The melting point of Lidocaine is 68 °C. When we use Lidocaine as a local anaesthetic, the adverse effects are very rare.
What is Tetracaine (Amethocaine)?
Tetracaine is a medication useful in numbing the eyes, nose, or throat. It is also known as amethocaine. It is an ester that can be described as a local anesthetic. Moreover, we can apply this medication to the skin before starting injection procedures (intravenous injections). This can decrease the pain that comes from the procedure. Generally, this medication is available as a liquid that can be applied to the area. The common trade names of Tetracaine are Pontocaine, Ametop, Dicaine, and others.
Figure 02: The Chemical Structure of Tetracaine
There can be side effects of Tetracaine, which include a short time of burning at the applied area, rarely allergic reactions, etc. Moreover, the safety of using this medication during pregnancy is unclear. We can classify this medication as an ester-type local anesthetic medication. The mode of action of Tetracaine is by blocking the sending of nerve impulses.
When considering the mechanism of action of Tetracaine, it is useful in alternating the function of calcium release channels known as ryanodine receptors, which can control the release of calcium from intracellular stores. This substance is an allosteric blocker of channel function. When there is a low concentration of Tetracaine, it can cause an initial inhibition of spontaneous calcium release events. But when there is a high concentration, Tetracaine can block the release of the calcium completely.
What is the Difference Between Lidocaine and Tetracaine?
An anesthetic compound is a substance that can induce insensitivity to pain. Lidocaine and Tetracaine are two such types of anesthetics. The key difference between Lidocaine and Tetracaine is that Lidocaine is a suitable anesthetic for patients who are sensitive to ester-type anesthetics, whereas Tetracaine is an ester-type anesthetic useful as an anesthetic. Moreover, Lidocaine is a type of local anaesthetic that helps to numb the tissues of a specific area in the body. Whereas, Tetracaine is a medication useful in numbing the eyes, nose, or throat.
The below infographic presents the differences between Lidocaine and Tetracaine in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Lidocaine vs Tetracaine
Lidocaine is a type of local anaesthetic that helps to numb the tissues of a specific area in the body. Tetracaine is a medication useful in numbing the eyes, nose, or throat. The key difference between Lidocaine and Tetracaine is that Lidocaine is a suitable anesthetic for patients who are sensitive to ester-type anesthetics, whereas Tetracaine is an ester-type anesthetic useful as an anesthetic.
Reference:
1. “Tetracaine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism Of Action.” Go.Drugbank.Com.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Lidocaine” By Harbin – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tetracaine2DCSD” By Fuse809 (talk) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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