Formulary
Tetracaine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Tetracaine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Tetracaine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Tetracaine clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Local anaesthetic**
- **Adult** (To The Eye): Apply as required.
**Anaesthesia before venepuncture or venous cannulation**
- **Child** (To The Skin): 5-17 years Apply contents of up to 5 tubes (applied at separate sites at a single time or appropriate proportion) to site of venepuncture or venous cannulation and cover with occlusive dressing; remove gel and dressing after 30 minutes for venepuncture and after 45 minutes for venous cannulation.
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply contents of up to 5 tubes (applied at separate sites at a single time or appropriate proportion) to site of venepuncture or venous cannulation and cover with occlusive dressing; remove gel and dressing after 30 minutes for venepuncture and after 45 minutes for venous cannulation.
**Local anaesthetic for tetracaine**
- **Child** (To the eye): Apply as required.
**Anaesthesia before venepuncture or venous cannulation for tetracaine**
- **Neonate** (To the skin): Apply contents of tube (or appropriate proportion) to site of venepuncture or venous cannulation and cover with occlusive dressing; remove gel and dressing after 30 minutes for venepuncture and after 45 minutes for venous cannulation.
- **Child 1 month-4 years** (To the skin): Apply contents of up to 1 tube (applied at separate sites at a single time or appropriate proportion) to site of venepuncture or venous cannulation and cover with occlusive dressing; remove gel and dressing after 30 minutes for venepuncture and after 45 minutes for venous cannulation.
- **Child 5-17 years** (To the skin): Apply contents of up to 5 tubes (applied at separate sites at a single time or appropriate proportion) to site of venepuncture or venous cannulation and cover with occlusive dressing; remove gel and dressing after 30 minutes for venepuncture and after 45 minutes for venous cannulation.
Contraindications
With topical use Should not be applied to damaged skin
Side effects
Frequency not known When used by eye (topical) Dermatitis; eye disorders; eye inflammation; paraesthesia With topical use Oedema; skin reactions Side-effects, further information The systemic toxicity of local anaesthetics mainly involves the central nervous system; systemic side effects unlikely as minimal absorption following topical application.
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- Local anaesthetics: antibacterial activity of sulphonamides may be antagonised by benzocaine or tetracaine.
- Tetracaine should not be used in patients being treated with sulphonamides (see 4.3 above)
Breast feeding
With topical use: Not known to be harmful.
Medicinal forms
Drops,Gel
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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