Tetracaine Injection (Tetracaine Hydrochloride Injection) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

Tetracaine HCl Injection, USP
for Prolonged Spinal Anesthesia

Rx only

Description

Tetracaine hydrochloride is 2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl p-(butylamino)benzoate monohydrochloride. It is a white crystalline, odorless powder that is readily soluble in water, physiologic saline solution, and dextrose solution. It has the following structural formula:

Tetracaine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic of the ester-linkage type, related to procaine.

1% Solution: A sterile, isotonic, isobaric solution.

Each mL contains:

Active: 10 mg Tetracaine Hydrochloride

Inactives: 7.5 mg Sodium Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide may be added to adjust pH (3.2 to 6.0) and Water for Injection, USP.

Nitrogen gas has been used to displace the air in the ampules.

This formulation does not contain preservatives.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Parenteral administration of tetracaine hydrochloride stabilizes the neuronal membrane and prevents initiation and transmission of nerve impulses thereby effecting local anesthesia.

The onset of action is rapid, and the duration is prolonged (up to two or three hours or longer of surgical anesthesia).

Tetracaine hydrochloride is detoxified by plasma esterases to aminobenzoic acid and diethylaminoethanol.