Benoxinate

British Approved Names

• Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride [BANM]

International Nonproprietary Names

• Hidrocloruro de oxibuprocaína [rINNM (es)]
• Oxybuprocaine Hydrochloride [rINNM (en)]
• Oxybuprocaini Hydrochloridum [rINNM (la)]
• Oxybuprocaïne, Chlorhydrate d' [rINNM (fr)]
• Оксибупрокаина Гидрохлорид [rINNM (ru)]

Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical Classification

• D04AB03
• S01HA02

ATC Code (veterinary)

• QD04AB03
• QS01HA02

Uses and Administration

Oxybuprocaine, a para-aminobenzoic acid ester, is a local anaesthetic with actions and uses similar to those described on Refer to . It is used for surface anaesthesia ( Refer to ) and is reported to be less irritant than tetracaine when applied to the conjunctiva in therapeutic concentrations.

Oxybuprocaine is used as the hydrochloride in a 0.4% solution in short ophthalmological procedures. One drop instilled into the conjunctival sac anaesthetises the surface of the eye sufficiently to allow tonometry after 60 seconds and a further drop after 90 seconds provides adequate anaesthesia for the fitting of contact lenses. Three drops at 90-second intervals produces sufficient anaesthesia after 5 minutes for removal of a foreign body from the corneal epithelium, or for incision of a Meibomian cyst through the conjunctiva. The sensitivity of the cornea is normal again after about 1 hour.

A 1% solution of oxybuprocaine hydrochloride is used for surface anaesthesia of the ear, nose, and throat.

(last reviewed 2010-07-23; last modified 2008-08-22)

Adverse Effects, Treatment and Precautions

As for Local Anaesthetics in general, Refer to , Refer to , and Refer to , respectively.

(last reviewed 2010-07-23; last modified 2004-07-30)

Effects on the eyes

Fibrinous iritis and moderate corneal swelling occurred in 2 patients after the use of a 0.4% or 1% solution of oxybuprocaine hydrochloride for topical anaesthesia of the eye for minor surgery.1 The effects may have been due to inadvertent entry of the drug into the anterior chamber of the eye.

(last reviewed 2010-07-23; last modified 2006-07-12)

References

1. Haddad R. Fibrinous iritis due to oxybuprocaine.Br J Ophthalmol. 1989; 73: 76–7. PubMed

Porphyria

The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria, compiled by the Norwegian Porphyria Centre (NAPOS) and the Porphyria Centre Sweden, classifies oxybuprocaine as not porphyrinogenic when used for surface anaesthesia in ophthalmological procedures; it may be used as a drug of first choice and no precautions are needed.1

(last reviewed 2010-07-23; last modified 2011-11-16)

References

1. The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria. Available at: Link (accessed 05/10/11)

Interactions

For interactions associated with local anaesthetics, see Refer to .

(last reviewed 2010-07-23; last modified 1998-11-09)

Therapeutic Use

• Local Anaesthetics

Last Updated 1/21/20