Amino esters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Structurally, local anesthetics consist of three molecular components:
- a lipophilic part
- an intermediate aliphatic chain
- a hydrophilic (amine) part
The chemical linkage between the lipophilic part and the intermediate chain can be of the amide-type or the ester-type, and is the general basis for the current classification of local anesthetics.
Amino ester-type include:
- Cocaine
- Procaine (Novocain)
- Tetracaine (Pontocaine)
- Benzocaine
Amino esters, in reference to anesthetic agents, are rapidly metabolized in the plasma by butyrlcholinesterase to para-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, then excreted in the urine. This suggests their very short ½ lives.
Allergy is more likely to occur with ester-type agents, as opposed to amide-type.
Reference
- UT Med School, Pharmacology Syllabus.
- Katsung. 10th edition. Chapter 26.