Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesHow It WorksHow Long Does Novacaine Last?Side EffectsRisks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
How It Works
How Long Does Novacaine Last?
Side Effects
Risks
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TerminologyTechnically, the words “procaine” and “novocaine” are synonymous and may be used interchangeably. “Novocain” is a trade name for the generic drug procaine. Just like Band-Aid and Kleenex are brand names that became household words to describe adhesive bandages and facial tissues, respectively, the word “novocaine” (with an “e”) has become a generic term.The word “novocaine” is often used to describe various types oflocal anesthesia, such asXylocaine(lidocaine),Citanest(prilocaine), orSeptocaine(articaine).
Terminology
Technically, the words “procaine” and “novocaine” are synonymous and may be used interchangeably. “Novocain” is a trade name for the generic drug procaine. Just like Band-Aid and Kleenex are brand names that became household words to describe adhesive bandages and facial tissues, respectively, the word “novocaine” (with an “e”) has become a generic term.The word “novocaine” is often used to describe various types oflocal anesthesia, such asXylocaine(lidocaine),Citanest(prilocaine), orSeptocaine(articaine).
Technically, the words “procaine” and “novocaine” are synonymous and may be used interchangeably. “Novocain” is a trade name for the generic drug procaine. Just like Band-Aid and Kleenex are brand names that became household words to describe adhesive bandages and facial tissues, respectively, the word “novocaine” (with an “e”) has become a generic term.
The word “novocaine” is often used to describe various types oflocal anesthesia, such asXylocaine(lidocaine),Citanest(prilocaine), orSeptocaine(articaine).
Novocaine causes numbness in a localized area for a brief amount of time. It is used for procedures that don’t require a longer-lasting anesthetic. It’s also used when people are allergic to amide-based drugs (a group of local anesthetic compounds).
Novocaine is administered via injection and used before medical or dental procedures that don’t require general anesthesia to put patients in a sleeplike state.
Novocaine is used during same-day procedures such as:
Your dentist may use a local numbing gel before injecting Novocaine, but usually, you will only feel a slight stinging sensation as the medicine enters the gum tissues.
Novocaine’s numbing effects usually start within minutes. Its pain-relieving ability lasts about 30–60 minutes. Because novocaine is fast-acting and doesn’t last very long, it’s often used for quick procedures.
A novocaine/epinephrine mixture delays absorption and can last for up to 90 minutes.
Novocaine vs. LidocaineLidocaine is an amide-based local anesthetic that is more potent and lasts longer than novocaine. Since the 1970s, numerous other local anesthetics in the “-caine” family (e.g., articaine, mepivacaine, and prilocaine) have been developed.Though extremely rare, some people are allergic to amide local anesthetics.In these cases, novocaine is often used as a substitute because it’s ester-based.
Novocaine vs. Lidocaine
Lidocaine is an amide-based local anesthetic that is more potent and lasts longer than novocaine. Since the 1970s, numerous other local anesthetics in the “-caine” family (e.g., articaine, mepivacaine, and prilocaine) have been developed.Though extremely rare, some people are allergic to amide local anesthetics.In these cases, novocaine is often used as a substitute because it’s ester-based.
Novocaine is generally well-tolerated and comes few adverse side effects. The most common adverse reactions occur at the injection site.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions to local anesthesia include:
Anxiety, flushing, itching, shortness of breath, and hives (urticaria)have been observed after administration of novocaine.
Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following severe adverse side effects after a novocaine injection:
Most adverse reactions to local anesthesia occur within the first two hours after the injection. If you experience any of these symptoms for longer than four to six hours, contact a healthcare provider. In emergencies, call 911.
Severe allergic reactions to local anesthetics like novocaine are extremely rare. At most, they represent less than 1% of the reported adverse reactions to local anesthetics.This means over 99% of side effects are mild.
Although novocaine allergies are rare, ester anesthetics do containpara-aminobenzoic acid(PABA), which is a known allergen. Notably, a preservative (methylparaben) used in amide-based drugs is metabolized as PABA and may cause allergies. People who are allergic to ester local anesthetics should be treated with an amide-type local anesthetic without preservatives.
A small number of people have a genetic predisposition that makes it hard for their bodies to metabolize ester-type local anesthetics like novocaine.If novocaine isn’t metabolized, it causes severe side effects such as being unable to breathe or move for a few hours. These cases require immediate medical attention.
Another risk of novocaine is self-injuring the numbed area after the procedure is completed when going about your daily activities. Always exercise extreme caution when eating or drinking if your mouth is still numb.
Lidocaineand other amide-type local anesthetics are common substitutes for novocaine, which is ester-based. The amide family of anesthetics includes articaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, and ropivacaine, among others.
Summary
“Novocaine” is a broadly used term referring to any type of local anesthetic. Technically speaking, novocaine is the same as procaine, which is an ester local anesthetic. Today, lidocaine is more commonly used than novocaine. Most of novocaine’s adverse side effects occur at the injection site and are mild.
In extremely rare cases, some people can’t metabolize ester local anesthetics and may have a severe reaction to novocaine. If a family member has ever had an allergic reaction to anesthesia, be sure to share this information with your healthcare provider.
Novocaine is a helpful tool that can reduce pain during uncomfortable or even frightening procedures. Be sure to discuss what, if any, anesthetics your healthcare provider may be using during your procedure so that you feel safe and comfortable during your visit.
9 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.Förster JG, Rosenberg PH.Revival of old local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgery.Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2011;24(6):633-637. doi:10.1097/ACO.0b013e32834aca1bDailyMed.Novocain.DailyMed.Novocain.Snoeck M.Articaine: a review of its use for local and regional anesthesia.Local Reg Anesth. 2012;5:23-33. doi:10.2147/LRA.S16682Bina B, Hersh EV, Hilario M, Alvarez K, McLaughlin B.True allergy to amide local anesthetics: a review and case presentation.Anesthesia Progress. 2018;65(2):119-123. doi:10.2344/anpr-65-03-06Ho JPTF, van Riet TCT, Afrian Y, et al.Adverse effects following dental local anesthesia: a literature review.J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2021;21(6):507. doi:10.17245/jdapm.2021.21.6.507Greene BHC, Lalonde DH, Seal SKF.Incidence of the “adrenaline rush” and vasovagal response with local anesthetic injection.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2021;9(6):e3659. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003659Speca SJ, Boynes SG, Cuddy MA.Allergic reactions to local anesthetic formulations.Dental Clinics of North America. 2010;54(4):655-664. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2010.06.006Robles A, Michael M, McCallum R.Pseudocholinesterase deficiency: what the proceduralist needs to know.American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2019;357(3):263-267. doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2018.11.002
9 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.Förster JG, Rosenberg PH.Revival of old local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgery.Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2011;24(6):633-637. doi:10.1097/ACO.0b013e32834aca1bDailyMed.Novocain.DailyMed.Novocain.Snoeck M.Articaine: a review of its use for local and regional anesthesia.Local Reg Anesth. 2012;5:23-33. doi:10.2147/LRA.S16682Bina B, Hersh EV, Hilario M, Alvarez K, McLaughlin B.True allergy to amide local anesthetics: a review and case presentation.Anesthesia Progress. 2018;65(2):119-123. doi:10.2344/anpr-65-03-06Ho JPTF, van Riet TCT, Afrian Y, et al.Adverse effects following dental local anesthesia: a literature review.J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2021;21(6):507. doi:10.17245/jdapm.2021.21.6.507Greene BHC, Lalonde DH, Seal SKF.Incidence of the “adrenaline rush” and vasovagal response with local anesthetic injection.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2021;9(6):e3659. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003659Speca SJ, Boynes SG, Cuddy MA.Allergic reactions to local anesthetic formulations.Dental Clinics of North America. 2010;54(4):655-664. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2010.06.006Robles A, Michael M, McCallum R.Pseudocholinesterase deficiency: what the proceduralist needs to know.American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2019;357(3):263-267. doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2018.11.002
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.
Förster JG, Rosenberg PH.Revival of old local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgery.Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2011;24(6):633-637. doi:10.1097/ACO.0b013e32834aca1bDailyMed.Novocain.DailyMed.Novocain.Snoeck M.Articaine: a review of its use for local and regional anesthesia.Local Reg Anesth. 2012;5:23-33. doi:10.2147/LRA.S16682Bina B, Hersh EV, Hilario M, Alvarez K, McLaughlin B.True allergy to amide local anesthetics: a review and case presentation.Anesthesia Progress. 2018;65(2):119-123. doi:10.2344/anpr-65-03-06Ho JPTF, van Riet TCT, Afrian Y, et al.Adverse effects following dental local anesthesia: a literature review.J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2021;21(6):507. doi:10.17245/jdapm.2021.21.6.507Greene BHC, Lalonde DH, Seal SKF.Incidence of the “adrenaline rush” and vasovagal response with local anesthetic injection.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2021;9(6):e3659. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003659Speca SJ, Boynes SG, Cuddy MA.Allergic reactions to local anesthetic formulations.Dental Clinics of North America. 2010;54(4):655-664. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2010.06.006Robles A, Michael M, McCallum R.Pseudocholinesterase deficiency: what the proceduralist needs to know.American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2019;357(3):263-267. doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2018.11.002
Förster JG, Rosenberg PH.Revival of old local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia in ambulatory surgery.Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. 2011;24(6):633-637. doi:10.1097/ACO.0b013e32834aca1b
DailyMed.Novocain.
Snoeck M.Articaine: a review of its use for local and regional anesthesia.Local Reg Anesth. 2012;5:23-33. doi:10.2147/LRA.S16682
Bina B, Hersh EV, Hilario M, Alvarez K, McLaughlin B.True allergy to amide local anesthetics: a review and case presentation.Anesthesia Progress. 2018;65(2):119-123. doi:10.2344/anpr-65-03-06
Ho JPTF, van Riet TCT, Afrian Y, et al.Adverse effects following dental local anesthesia: a literature review.J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2021;21(6):507. doi:10.17245/jdapm.2021.21.6.507
Greene BHC, Lalonde DH, Seal SKF.Incidence of the “adrenaline rush” and vasovagal response with local anesthetic injection.Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open. 2021;9(6):e3659. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003659
Speca SJ, Boynes SG, Cuddy MA.Allergic reactions to local anesthetic formulations.Dental Clinics of North America. 2010;54(4):655-664. doi:10.1016/j.cden.2010.06.006
Robles A, Michael M, McCallum R.Pseudocholinesterase deficiency: what the proceduralist needs to know.American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2019;357(3):263-267. doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2018.11.002
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