Which local anesthetic is metabolized by pseudocholinesterase?

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

Which local anesthetic is metabolized by pseudocholinesterase?

Explanation:
Esters are metabolized by pseudocholinesterase. Pseudocholinesterase is a plasma enzyme that rapidly hydrolyzes the ester bond in ester-type local anesthetics, so drugs like procaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine are quickly inactivated in the bloodstream, giving them a shorter duration. In contrast, amide local anesthetics are mainly processed in the liver by amidases and other hepatic enzymes, which explains their longer duration of action. Therefore, the local anesthetic metabolized by pseudocholinesterase is an ester.

Esters are metabolized by pseudocholinesterase. Pseudocholinesterase is a plasma enzyme that rapidly hydrolyzes the ester bond in ester-type local anesthetics, so drugs like procaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine are quickly inactivated in the bloodstream, giving them a shorter duration. In contrast, amide local anesthetics are mainly processed in the liver by amidases and other hepatic enzymes, which explains their longer duration of action. Therefore, the local anesthetic metabolized by pseudocholinesterase is an ester.

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