If a patient has a PABA allergy, which topical anesthetic should you select?

Prepare for the CRDTS Local Anesthesia Test with comprehensive quizzes and flashcards. Understand every detail with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

If a patient has a PABA allergy, which topical anesthetic should you select?

Explanation:
PABA allergy concerns come from ester local anesthetics, which can release para-aminobenzoic acid during metabolism and trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Because of that, ester-type topicals such as benzocaine, procaine, and tetracaine are avoided in patients with PABA allergy. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic, and amides do not yield PABA as a metabolite, making it the safer option in this scenario. Thus, lidocaine is the best choice for a patient who has a PABA allergy.

PABA allergy concerns come from ester local anesthetics, which can release para-aminobenzoic acid during metabolism and trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Because of that, ester-type topicals such as benzocaine, procaine, and tetracaine are avoided in patients with PABA allergy. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic, and amides do not yield PABA as a metabolite, making it the safer option in this scenario. Thus, lidocaine is the best choice for a patient who has a PABA allergy.

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