Septocaine

Septocaine is a brand-name local anesthetic solution used in dentistry. It consists of articaine hydrochloride 4% with adrenaline (epinephrine) as a vasoconstrictor and is manufactured by Septodont. It is suitable for both infiltration and nerve-block anesthesia, and is widely used for a range of dental procedures. Formulations are typically articaine 4% with epinephrine at 1:100,000 or 1:200,000, depending on regional product variants.

Pharmacology and mechanism of action: Articaine is an amide-type local anesthetic that also contains a thiophene ring, which facilitates tissue penetration. It is rapidly metabolized in the blood by plasma esterases, giving it a relatively short systemic half-life. Epinephrine reduces local blood flow, prolonging the duration of anesthesia and limiting systemic absorption. The onset of anesthesia is usually rapid, with duration depending on whether infiltration or a nerve block is used and on the presence of vasoconstrictor.

Indications and administration: Septocaine is indicated for dental procedures requiring local anesthesia, including restorations, extractions, and minor oral surgery. It can be used for infiltration anesthesia in maxillary procedures and for nerve blocks (such as inferior alveolar or other regional blocks). Administration should involve aspiration before injection, and clinicians should use the lowest effective dose. Maximum dosing guidance varies by country and product, but a commonly cited range is around 7 mg/kg body weight, with a patient-specific maximum.

Safety and adverse effects: Potential adverse effects include transient paresthesia, dizziness, tremor, palpitations, or other signs of systemic toxicity if excessive or intravascularly injected. Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to articaine or other amide local anesthetics and cautious use in patients with conditions where epinephrine is contraindicated (such as certain cardiovascular diseases). Patients with sulfite sensitivity should be evaluated if a preservative-containing formulation is used.