Type of medicine: anesthetic; nerve block
Generic and brand names: benzocaine/butamben/tetracaine, topical; Cetacaine; Exactacain
This medicine is sprayed on the skin or mucus membranes to cause loss of feeling before and during surgery or endoscopic procedures such as examinations of the esophagus or colon.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given by a healthcare provider or dentist trained in the use of local anesthesia.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: seizures, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing.
This medicine may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or numbness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Since this medicine stops all feeling on your skin, be careful not to injure your skin by scratching, rubbing, or exposing it to extreme hot or cold temperatures. If you have been given this medicine in your mouth, do not chew gum or food while your mouth feels numb. The numbing effect of the medicine goes away after a few hours.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat), seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Burning, itching, swelling, redness, or rash; seizures; unusual weakness or tiredness; bluish skin color.
Other: Mild stinging or burning when the medicine is used.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
