Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations. Depending on its function, it may serve as a moisturizer, preservative, emulsifier, or active ingredient to enhance the overall effectiveness and performance of a product.
Benzocaine, sold under the brand name Orajel amongst others, is a local anesthetic, belonging to the amino ester drug class, commonly used as a topical painkiller or in cough drops. It is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter anesthetic ointments such as products for oral ulcers. It is combined with antipyrine to form A/B ear drops. In the US, products containing benzocaine for oral application are contraindicated in children younger than two years old. In the European Union, the contraindication applies to children under 12 years of age.[medical citation needed]
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| Trade names | Anbesol, Lanacane, Orajel, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| Routes of administration | Topical, Oral |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.002.094 |
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| Formula | C9H11NO2 |
| Molar mass | 165.192 g·mol−1 |
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It was first synthesised in 1890 in Germany and approved for medical use in 1902.
