[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":255},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-tetracaine":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":216,"commonProducts":217,"description":220,"extension":221,"icon":222,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":223,"isCommonIrritant":224,"keyFacts":225,"localNames":235,"meta":236,"navigation":237,"path":238,"relatedArticles":239,"seo":243,"severity":244,"slug":245,"stem":246,"subtitle":247,"symptoms":248,"synonyms":253,"__hash__":254},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/tetracaine.md","Tetracaine",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":206},"minimark",[9,14,25,28,52,59,63,70,75,107,110,114,134,138,141,166,170,173,176,180],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-tetracaine","What is Tetracaine?",[15,16,17,20,21,24],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," (INCI: Tetracaine; alternative names: Amethocaine, Pontocaine; salt form: Tetracaine HCl) is a potent ",[18,22,23],{},"ester-class local anesthetic"," that belongs to the para-aminobenzoate ester family. It is a derivative of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) — the same structural family as benzocaine, procaine, and PABA sunscreens.",[15,26,27],{},"In medical and cosmetic applications, tetracaine is used:",[29,30,31,39,45],"ul",{},[32,33,34,35,38],"li",{},"In ",[18,36,37],{},"ophthalmic anesthetic drops"," for eye procedures (tonometry, contact lens fitting, foreign body removal)",[32,40,34,41,44],{},[18,42,43],{},"topical anesthetic creams"," for surface numbing before injections, minor procedures, or laser treatments",[32,46,47,48,51],{},"As part of some ",[18,49,50],{},"EMLA-type numbing preparations"," (though EMLA itself uses lidocaine + prilocaine)",[15,53,54,55,58],{},"In the cosmetic context, tetracaine appears in some ",[18,56,57],{},"pre-procedure numbing creams"," used before aesthetic procedures (botulinum toxin injections, fillers, laser resurfacing), which are increasingly popular in the Indian aesthetics market.",[10,60,62],{"id":61},"why-does-tetracaine-cause-reactions","Why does Tetracaine cause reactions?",[15,64,65,66,69],{},"Tetracaine's allergenicity stems from its ",[18,67,68],{},"para-aminobenzoate ester"," chemical structure. The para-amino (NH2) group on the benzene ring is the allergenic structural element shared across the \"para-amino compound\" family. This shared structure creates extensive cross-reactivity:",[15,71,72],{},[18,73,74],{},"Para-amino compound cross-reactions:",[29,76,77,83,89,95,101],{},[32,78,79,82],{},[18,80,81],{},"Benzocaine",": The most common OTC topical anesthetic; strong cross-reactor",[32,84,85,88],{},[18,86,87],{},"Procaine",": Medical injectable anesthetic",[32,90,91,94],{},[18,92,93],{},"PABA sunscreens",": Para-aminobenzoic acid-based UV filters (now largely discontinued)",[32,96,97,100],{},[18,98,99],{},"Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)",": The primary allergen in permanent hair dyes — a critical cross-reaction; tetracaine allergy may indicate hair dye allergy risk",[32,102,103,106],{},[18,104,105],{},"Sulfonamide drugs",": Antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole); possible but less consistent cross-reactivity",[15,108,109],{},"The ophthalmic route (eye drops) is notable because the conjunctival surface has high drug absorption. While brief single-dose ophthalmic tetracaine for procedures rarely causes sensitization, repeated use can.",[10,111,113],{"id":112},"where-is-tetracaine-found-in-products","Where is Tetracaine found in products?",[29,115,116,122,128],{},[32,117,118,121],{},[18,119,120],{},"Ophthalmic drops",": Used in ophthalmology and optometry for diagnostic and minor therapeutic procedures",[32,123,124,127],{},[18,125,126],{},"Pre-procedure numbing creams",": In cosmetic aesthetic procedure preparatory products",[32,129,130,133],{},[18,131,132],{},"Some sore throat preparations",": In certain markets, tetracaine lozenges for throat anesthesia",[10,135,137],{"id":136},"how-to-spot-tetracaine-on-labels","How to spot Tetracaine on labels",[15,139,140],{},"On pharmaceutical labels:",[29,142,143,148,154,160],{},[32,144,145,147],{},[18,146,5],{}," — the INN",[32,149,150,153],{},[18,151,152],{},"Amethocaine"," — UK/European name",[32,155,156,159],{},[18,157,158],{},"Tetracaine HCl"," — salt form",[32,161,162,165],{},[18,163,164],{},"Pontocaine"," — historical brand name",[10,167,169],{"id":168},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,171,172],{},"Tetracaine is used in Indian ophthalmic practice as a topical anesthetic for eye examinations. It is available by prescription. The growing Indian medical aesthetics market — which includes multiple botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, and laser procedures — uses various topical numbing preparations, some of which may contain ester anesthetics.",[15,174,175],{},"Indian patients who react to hair dye (PPD allergy) should be informed that they may also react to ester-class anesthetics including tetracaine and benzocaine, and vice versa. This is a clinically important cross-reactivity pattern that Indian dermatologists managing hair dye allergy should communicate to patients undergoing any numbing procedure.",[10,177,179],{"id":178},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[29,181,182,188,194,200],{},[32,183,184,187],{},[18,185,186],{},"Lidocaine (amide-class anesthetic)",": Does not cross-react with tetracaine or benzocaine; the safe alternative for para-amino compound-allergic patients in most anesthetic contexts",[32,189,190,193],{},[18,191,192],{},"Prilocaine",": Another amide-class anesthetic; safe for ester-allergic patients",[32,195,196,199],{},[18,197,198],{},"EMLA cream (lidocaine + prilocaine)",": Standard pre-procedure numbing cream using amide class; appropriate for tetracaine-allergic patients",[32,201,202,205],{},[18,203,204],{},"Cooling sprays",": For minor procedure anesthesia in skin-sensitive patients, cooling sprays using refrigerant gases provide brief anesthesia without chemical sensitization risk",{"title":207,"searchDepth":208,"depth":208,"links":209},"",2,[210,211,212,213,214,215],{"id":12,"depth":208,"text":13},{"id":61,"depth":208,"text":62},{"id":112,"depth":208,"text":113},{"id":136,"depth":208,"text":137},{"id":168,"depth":208,"text":169},{"id":178,"depth":208,"text":179},"anesthetic",[120,218,219],"Topical anesthetic cream","Pre-procedure numbing preparations","A topical ester-class anesthetic used in ophthalmic drops and anesthetic creams. Cross-reacts with benzocaine and other para-amino compounds (PPD, sulfonamides). ACDS-listed anesthetic allergen.","md","🩺",null,false,[226,229,232],{"label":227,"value":228},"Ester class","Tetracaine is an ester-class anesthetic — structurally related to benzocaine, PABA, and PPD; cross-reactivity within this class is common",{"label":230,"value":231},"Cross-reactivity","Cross-reacts with benzocaine, procaine, PABA sunscreens, para-phenylenediamine (hair dye), and sulfonamide drugs — a \"para-amino\" compound family",{"label":233,"value":234},"ACDS listing","Included in ACDS topical anesthetic patch test series; positive result has implications for benzocaine avoidance and potentially PPD-containing hair dyes",[],{},true,"/learn/ingredients/tetracaine",[240],{"slug":241,"title":242},"/learn/patch-test-results-now-what","Patch Test Results: Now What?",{"title":5,"description":220},"moderate","tetracaine","learn/ingredients/tetracaine","An ester topical anesthetic that cross-reacts with benzocaine and para-amino compounds",[249,250,251,252],"Allergic contact dermatitis at application site","Ocular and periocular reactions from ophthalmic use","Cross-reactive reactions with benzocaine and PPD","Systemic hypersensitivity reactions in highly sensitized individuals",[158,152,164],"OqTbP_fWLiqlQCm3-STh_lY8Y4uYzPE2Gsf_AAyS-K0",1778416676887]