Benzocaine, << BEHN zoh kayn, >> is a drug that reduces pain or itching in minor wounds, sores, and burns on skin and mucous membranes. It is a local anesthetic–that is, a drug that works in or on a specific area of the body. Unlike some local anesthetics, benzocaine is not injected. Benzocaine is applied directly to the area, where it interferes with pain signals sent by nerve fibers to the brain.
Benzocaine is absorbed slowly, and therefore its anesthetic action lasts a long time. Its slow absorption also prevents the build-up of toxic levels in the body. Many nonprescription medicines contain benzocaine. For example, it is found in ointments and sprays for treating sunburn, insect bites, and minor skin injuries, and in suppositories for relieving hemorrhoids.
Benzocaine is a white, odorless powder that was developed in Germany in 1890. It was given the trade name Anesthesin because of its anesthetic properties. The discovery of benzocaine led to the development of procaine, a local anesthetic that became a substitute for cocaine anesthesia. Unlike cocaine, neither procaine nor benzocaine is addictive.
