Chloroprocaine

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Chloroprocaine is a local anesthetic given by injection during surgical procedures and labor and delivery. Chloroprocaine numbs the skin and surrounding area before surgery or certain procedures. It is also used to numb an area of your body to help reduce pain or discomfort caused by invasive medical procedures such as surgery, needle punctures, or insertion of a catheter or breathing tube.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "Chloroprocaine" is derived from its chemical structure, which includes a chlorine atom and a procaine group. The "chloro-" prefix refers to the presence of chlorine, while "-procaine" is a common suffix for local anesthetics, derived from the name of the first synthetic local anesthetic, procaine.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Chloroprocaine works by blocking nerve impulses in your body and is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by surgical procedures. It is a member of the amino ester group of local anesthetics and is primarily used for infiltration anesthesia, peripheral nerve block, and spinal anesthesia.

Side Effects[edit | edit source]

Possible side effects of chloroprocaine include backache, constipation, cough, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, shortness of breath, skin rash, tightness in the chest, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Related Terms[edit | edit source]

  • Local Anesthetic: A type of medication used to numb a specific part of the body.
  • Amino Ester: A group of local anesthetics, which includes chloroprocaine.
  • Infiltration Anesthesia: A type of local anesthesia where the anesthetic is injected directly into the tissue that needs to be anesthetized.
  • Peripheral Nerve Block: A type of regional anesthesia that is injected in the vicinity of a nerve or small group of nerves to numb the area.
  • Spinal Anesthesia: A type of anesthesia commonly used to block pain from surgical procedures below the waist.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD