Pharmacologic Substance
tetracaine
[ te-truh-keyn ]
Brand Names:
Altacaine; Cetacaine; Kovanaze; Neo-Predef; Numfast; Pliaglis; Pontocaine; Synera; Tetcaine; Tetravisc; tetraVIV
Effect:
Decreased Sensory-Somatic Nervous System Organized Electrical Activity; Local Anesthesia
May Prevent:
Pain
May Treat:
Pain
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to tetracaine:
  • A benzoate ester with anesthetic properties. Upon administration, tetracaine reversibly binds voltage-gated sodium ion channels in neuronal cell membranes and inhibits sodium influx. This prevents the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses, and stabilizes neuronal membranes. This results in a loss of sensation, and thereby provides analgesia and anesthesia.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A potent local anesthetic of the ester type used for surface and spinal anesthesia.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.