local anesthetic

local anesthetic

n.

An anesthetic drug that induces local anesthesia by inhibiting nerve excitation or conduction.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

local anesthetic

Pain control An agent administered at the site of pain or anticipated pain–eg, before dental work or surgical incision Types Esters–hydrolyzed by pseudocholinesterase and amides–metabolized in the liver and excreted in urine; a vasoconstrictor, usually epinephrine, diluted to 1:200,000 may added to limit absorption, and enable use of more anesthetic. Cf General anesthesia.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Local anesthetic

Medication applied topically to the skin or administered through an injection that deadens a specific part of the body and inhibits the sensation of pain.

Mentioned in: Radial Keratotomy, Urinary Catheterization

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.