Benzocaine is indicated to treat a variety of
pain-related conditions. It may be used for: • Local anesthesia of oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes (sore throat, cold sores, mouth ulcers, toothache, sore gums, denture irritation) • Otic pain (earache) • Relief of skin pain caused by
sunburn,
ingrown toenails,
hemorrhoids, Examples of
combination medications of benzocaine include: •
Antipyrine-benzocaine otic consists of
antipyrine and benzocaine, and is used to relieve
ear pain and remove
earwax. •
Cepacol consists of menthol and benzocaine, and is used to treat
sore throat. • A solution of benzocaine and
menthol is marketed for the treatment of
bee stings,
mosquito bites,
jellyfish stings, and other insect bites
Other uses Benzocaine is used as a key ingredient in numerous pharmaceuticals: • Some glycerol-based ear medications for use in removing excess wax as well as relieving ear conditions such as
otitis media and
swimmer's ear. • Some previous diet products such as
Ayds. • Some
condoms designed to prevent
premature ejaculation. Benzocaine largely inhibits sensitivity on the
penis, and can allow for an
erection to be maintained longer (in a continuous act) by delaying ejaculation. Conversely, an erection will also fade faster if stimulus is interrupted. • Benzocaine mucoadhesive patches have been used in reducing orthodontic pain. • In Poland it is included, together with menthol and zinc oxide, in the liquid powder (not to be confused with the liquid
face powder) used mainly after mosquito bites. Today's ready-made Pudroderm was once used there as
pharmaceutical compound.
Available forms Benzocaine can come in a variety of preparations including: Oral preparations: • Lozenges (ex.
Cepacol, Mycinettes) • Throat Spray (ex. Ultra Chloraseptic) Topical preparations: • Aerosol (ex. Topex) • Gel (ex. Orajel, Kank-A) • Paste (ex. Orabase) • Cream (ex. Lanacane - active ingredient 3% Benzocaine) Otic preparations: • Solution (ex. Allergen) ==Side effects==