Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProcedures That Use ItWhy It’s UsedHow It Is GivenDrugs UsedHow Long It LastsPreparationRisksFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Procedures That Use It
Why It’s Used
How It Is Given
Drugs Used
How Long It Lasts
Preparation
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
Local anesthesia involves using medications (local anesthetics) to numb an area of your body. It’s used to prevent pain during and after surgery or other medical procedures, such as dental work or gettingstitches.
With local anesthesia, you won’t feel pain from the procedure but you’ll stay awake and aware of what’s happening around you.
This article discusses how local anesthesia works, what drugs are used, and which procedures it may be used for. It also covers what to expect if you will be getting local anesthesia and the risks involved.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoKalinovskiy / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Kalinovskiy / Getty Images
Procedures Using Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is most commonly associated with minor procedures.
Some examples include:
The Safety of Anesthesia for Oral Surgery
Why Local Anesthesia Is Used
Local anesthesia is typically used for minor procedures that can be completed in a short time and when a person will be able to return home the same day.
Unlikegeneral anesthesiawhere the entire body is paralyzed and you are unconscious, local anesthesia allows you to remain awake and alert during a procedure. A different type of pain control,regional anesthesianumbs a whole arm, leg, or another region.
Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthesia
Local anesthesia has many benefits over general anesthesia, but that doesn’t mean one is better than the other. Some of the differences include the following.
Local AnesthesiaNumbs just a small area of the body to prevent painGiven for minor procedures, such as mole removals or root canalsCommonly given as a single injection, spray, or topical creamBreathing muscles are not paralyzed; patient breathes without assistanceVery low risk of side effects, although they can occurAnesthetic effect can last up to eight hours
Numbs just a small area of the body to prevent pain
Given for minor procedures, such as mole removals or root canals
Commonly given as a single injection, spray, or topical cream
Breathing muscles are not paralyzed; patient breathes without assistance
Very low risk of side effects, although they can occur
Anesthetic effect can last up to eight hours
Paralyzes the whole body and makes the person unconscious
Given for major procedures, such as open-heart surgery
An external breathing device is generally necessary
Higher risk of severe side effects during the procedure and after, but still safe
Anesthetic effect can last up to 24 hours
How Local Anesthesia Is Given
Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthesia and monitor their patients’ breathing, circulation, heart rate, and other vital signs before, during, and after the procedure.
You will likely encounter an anesthesiologist for procedures that require a continuous infusion, like an epidural. The anesthesiologist will stay to monitor you throughout the procedure and check on you afterward.
For minor procedures in which vital signs do not need to be continuously monitored, like cavity fillings or mole removals, the doctor who is doing the procedure will usually administer the local anesthesia themselves.
Your local anesthesia may be in the form of a cream, spray, or injection.
Numbing medications are sometimes given in several small injections. A few minutes after the injections have been given, the area should be completely numb. If the area still has sensation, additional injections may be given to ensure it is completely numb.
While the goal is to prevent pain, the anesthesia injection itself can sometimes be painful. That said, pain from the injection will be brief, and the shot will prevent you from feeling pain throughout the rest of the procedure.
Types of Local Anesthesia Used for Surgical Procedures
Drugs Used for Local Anesthesia
Drugs used as local anesthetics suppress pain receptors known asnociceptors, blocking them from sending pain impulses to your brain.
Some of the most frequently used local anesthetic drugs are:
Notice how each these ends in -caine. Local anesthetic drugs are related in structure tococaine, which was widely used as a local anesthetic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (It still has some limited use today.) More recent local anesthetics differ from cocaine in that they are notaddictiveor habit-forming, and they don’t raise blood pressure.
Which drug you may be given and at what dosage depends on your age, height, weight, whether you have any allergies, whether you or your family members have had previous reactions to anesthesia, other medications you are taking, and the length of the procedure.
Medications Used Before and After Surgery
How Long Local Anesthesia Lasts
The length of time a local anesthetic can last depends on which drug was used and how much of the drug was given. Generally speaking, the effects of most local anesthetics begin to gradually wear off within a few hours after the procedure is complete.
Some drugs may take more time to kick in, but their effects may last longer.
For smaller procedures that involve local anesthesia, like mole removals or suturing a small wound, you will be able to go home as soon as the procedure is finished.
There are some cases when you will need to stay longer to be monitored. For example, when a doctor applies a local anesthetic inside your throat to examine your throat and vocal cords (laryngoscopy), you will need to be monitored until your gag reflex returns to ensure it is safe for you to eat or drink.
Anesthetic drugs stop pain receptors from sending pain signals to the brain. Doctors start with the lowest dose necessary and may give additional doses as needed. The effects kick in within minutes and can last from two to eight hours, depending on which drug is used.
Can You Be Allergic to Epinephrine?
Preparation for Local Anesthesia
It takes much less time to recover from local anesthesia than it does with general anesthesia, and most procedures that use local anesthesia are relatively quick.
Nonetheless, you still need to take a few basic precautions before your procedure to prepare for the anesthesia.
Your doctor should give you specific advice, which may include:
Doctors are very careful not to begin procedures until the anesthesia has kicked in. Your doctor should make it clear which drugs they are giving you, how long they will last, and anything else you should expect. They will also communicate with you throughout the procedure to make sure you are comfortable.
If you have any questions about your procedure or how you should prepare, don’t hesitate toclarify them with your doctor.
Important Questions to Ask Before You Have Surgery
The risk of side effects is significantly lower with local anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. Despite how safe local anesthetics usually are, it’s possible for an individual to be unusually sensitive to a drug and to develop severe side effects.
For this reason, there must always be emergency medical care available when local anesthetics are used.
The most common side effects following local anesthesia aresorenessandbruisingat the injection site. These side effects are temporary and nothing to be concerned about. However, let your doctor know if a bruise expands or does not get better within a week or two.
Serious but uncommon side effects that may occur during use include:
Other serious but uncommon side effects that can arise in the days to weeks following a procedure involving local anesthesia include:
You should see your doctor if you develop the following side effects any time after your procedure:
Understanding the Risks of Having Surgery
Summary
Local anesthesia is frequently used to minimize pain during minor procedures. These procedures are typically quick and done on an outpatient basis, so you should be able to return home on the day of your procedure.
Drugs used as local anesthetics are very safe and effective. While the risk of side effects is low, there is always some level of risk with any drug. Make sure to ask your doctor what you should do to prepare and how much recovery time you should plan for.
A Word From Verywell
It’s normal to feel anxious before a procedure, no matter how minor that procedure may be. Sometimes, anxiety comes from a lack of clarity about what to expect or why the procedure is even necessary.
If you are having any doubts, or if you find yourself wanting to cancel or delay your procedure, give your doctor a call and see if they can address your concerns.
It depends on the type of local anesthetic given. Some may last for two hours, and some may last up to eight hours.
Easing Your Fear of Having Surgery
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anesthesia.Tobe M, Suto T, Saito S.The history and progress of local anesthesia: multiple approaches to elongate the action.J Anesth. 2018;32(4):632-636. doi:10.1007/s00540-018-2514-8Collins JB, Song J, Mahabir RC.Onset and duration of intradermal mixtures of bupivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine.Can J Plast Surg. 2013;21(1):51-53. doi:10.1177/229255031302100112Kaiser Permanente.Local anesthesia.Reece-Stremtan S, Campos M, Kokajko L; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.ABM clinical protocol #15: analgesia and anesthesia for the breastfeeding mother, Updated 2017.Breastfeed Med. 2017;12(9):500-506. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29054.srt
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anesthesia.Tobe M, Suto T, Saito S.The history and progress of local anesthesia: multiple approaches to elongate the action.J Anesth. 2018;32(4):632-636. doi:10.1007/s00540-018-2514-8Collins JB, Song J, Mahabir RC.Onset and duration of intradermal mixtures of bupivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine.Can J Plast Surg. 2013;21(1):51-53. doi:10.1177/229255031302100112Kaiser Permanente.Local anesthesia.Reece-Stremtan S, Campos M, Kokajko L; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.ABM clinical protocol #15: analgesia and anesthesia for the breastfeeding mother, Updated 2017.Breastfeed Med. 2017;12(9):500-506. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29054.srt
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anesthesia.Tobe M, Suto T, Saito S.The history and progress of local anesthesia: multiple approaches to elongate the action.J Anesth. 2018;32(4):632-636. doi:10.1007/s00540-018-2514-8Collins JB, Song J, Mahabir RC.Onset and duration of intradermal mixtures of bupivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine.Can J Plast Surg. 2013;21(1):51-53. doi:10.1177/229255031302100112Kaiser Permanente.Local anesthesia.Reece-Stremtan S, Campos M, Kokajko L; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.ABM clinical protocol #15: analgesia and anesthesia for the breastfeeding mother, Updated 2017.Breastfeed Med. 2017;12(9):500-506. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29054.srt
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anesthesia.
Tobe M, Suto T, Saito S.The history and progress of local anesthesia: multiple approaches to elongate the action.J Anesth. 2018;32(4):632-636. doi:10.1007/s00540-018-2514-8
Collins JB, Song J, Mahabir RC.Onset and duration of intradermal mixtures of bupivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine.Can J Plast Surg. 2013;21(1):51-53. doi:10.1177/229255031302100112
Kaiser Permanente.Local anesthesia.
Reece-Stremtan S, Campos M, Kokajko L; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.ABM clinical protocol #15: analgesia and anesthesia for the breastfeeding mother, Updated 2017.Breastfeed Med. 2017;12(9):500-506. doi:10.1089/bfm.2017.29054.srt
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
