Topical anaesthetics are medications applied directly to a surface—such as the , eyes , or mucous membranes —to cause a temporary loss of sensation . They work by blocking pain signals at the nerve endings in the superficial layers of tissue. Key Active Ingredients Common agents used in these products include: Lidocaine : Fast-acting amide with a 3–5 minute onset.
: Highly potent ester with a long duration (4–6 hours). topical anaesthetic
: Often combined with lidocaine to create EMLA cream. Common Uses (PDF) Topical anesthesia - ResearchGate Topical anaesthetics are medications applied directly to a
: Ester-type often used in dentistry; onset within 30 seconds. onset within 30 seconds.