What is the most common local anesthetic without epinephrine?

What is the most common local anesthetic without epinephrine?

• A. Mepivacaine
• B. Lidocaine
• C. Prilocaine
• D. Articaine

Answer: (A)

When no vasoconstrictor is used, the duration of a local anesthetic largely depends on how much the drug itself causes blood vessels to dilate. The goal is to keep the anesthetic in the tissue longer, so choosing a solution with relatively low intrinsic vasodilating activity helps provide a useful block without epinephrine. Mepivacaine fits this best among common dental agents because its vasodilating effect is minimal compared to lidocaine, so it maintains a workable duration even without epinephrine. Lidocaine plain tends to wear off sooner due to greater vasodilation. Prilocaine and articaine are typically combined with a vasoconstrictor to maximize duration and diffusion, and their plain forms are less reliable for longer anesthesia. Thus, mepivacaine is the most common local anesthetic used without epinephrine.

When no vasoconstrictor is used, the duration of a local anesthetic largely depends on how much the drug itself causes blood vessels to dilate. The goal is to keep the anesthetic in the tissue longer, so choosing a solution with relatively low intrinsic vasodilating activity helps provide a useful block without epinephrine. Mepivacaine fits this best among common dental agents because its vasodilating effect is minimal compared to lidocaine, so it maintains a workable duration even without epinephrine. Lidocaine plain tends to wear off sooner due to greater vasodilation. Prilocaine and articaine are typically combined with a vasoconstrictor to maximize duration and diffusion, and their plain forms are less reliable for longer anesthesia. Thus, mepivacaine is the most common local anesthetic used without epinephrine.