Benzocaine

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An ester of paraaminobenzoic acid, lacking the terminal diethylamino group of procaine, with anesthetic activity. Benzocaine binds to the sodium channel and reversibly stabilizes the neuronal membrane which decreases its permeability to sodium ions. Depolarization of the neuronal membrane is inhibited, thereby blocking the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses.

**Synonyms:** - Anesthesin - BENZOCAINE - Baby Anbesol - Chloraseptic - Ethyl 4-aminobenzoate - Ethyl P-Aminobenzoate - Norcain - Norcaine - Ora-Jel