Anesthetics (Dental)
Before Using This MedicineIf you are taking this medicine
without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.
For dental anesthetics, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to a local anesthetic, especially one that was applied to
any part of the body as a liquid, cream, ointment, or spray. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Dental anesthetics have not been reported to cause
birth defects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding - Dental anesthetics have not been reported to cause
problems in nursing babies.
Children - Children may be especially sensitive to the effects
of dental anesthetics. This may increase the chance of unwanted effects, some
of which can be serious, during treatment. When using a dental anesthetic
for a child, be very careful not to use more of the medicine than directed
on the label, unless otherwise directed by your health care professional.
Teething medicines that contain benzocaine may be used in babies 4 months
of age and older. One product that contains benzocaine (Orabase-B with Benzocaine)
may be used in children 6 years of age and older. Most of the other nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines that contain a dental anesthetic may be
used in children 2 years of age and older. However, these other nonprescription
products should not be used in infants or children younger than 2 years of
age unless prescribed by a health care professional.
Older adults - Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects
of many local anesthetics. This may increase the chance of side effects during
treatment, especially with lidocaine. Nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC])
products containing local anesthetics are not likely to cause problems. However,
elderly people should be especially careful not to use more medicine than
directed on the package label, unless otherwise directed by a medical doctor
or a dentist.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Before you use a dental
anesthetic, check with your medical doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if you
are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC])
medicine.
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