Acquired methemoglobinemia revisited.
Dentistry has two medications in its pain management armamentarium that may cause the potentially life-threatening disorder methemoglobinemia. The first medications are the topical local anesthetics benzocaine and prilocaine. The second medication is the injectable local anesthetic prilocaine. Acquired methemoglobinemia remains a source of morbidity and mortality in dental and medical patients despite the fact that it is better understood now than it was even a decade ago. It is in the interest of all dental patients that their treating dentists review this disorder. The safety of dental patients mandates professional awareness.
Trapp
Larry
L
Department of Dental Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA. ltrapp@llu.edu
Will
John
J
D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010092:Oximetry; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006454:Hemoglobins; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008706:Methemoglobin; D008012:Lidocaine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D008751:Methylene Blue; D001566:Benzocaine