What is the clinical significance of potential drug interactions with local anaesthetic preparations used in primary care dentistry?

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Publisher: North West Medicines Information Centre

Keywords: Drug interactions; Anaesthesia-Dental;, Anaesthetics-Local; Lidocaine; Adrenaline;

Date published: 30/06/2011 11:00

Review date: 30/06/2013 11:00

Summary

by: Simone Henderson

A number of drug interactions that may potentially occur with local anaesthetic preparations are listed in the British National Formulary (BNF) and Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Many are theoretical or are associated with higher doses of local anaesthetic preparations than those used for dental procedures in primary care.
Reports of serious interactions between medicines and local anaesthetic preparations occurring in dental practice are exceedingly rare.
Practitioners can minimise the risk of interactions by using an aspirating syringe, which reduces the likelihood of the local anaesthetic being administered directly into a blood vessel.
Adhering to the dosage recommendations in the product literature will also minimise the risk.
This Q&A does not cover the use of local anaesthetics in patients with medical conditions that may contraindicate or require caution in their use.

About this library entry

Category: 15.2 Local anaesthesia | Anaesthesia | Dentistry | Drug Interactions

NeLM area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A