'Prilocaine' (
IPA: ) is a
local anesthetic of the
amino amide type. In its
injectable form (trade name 'Citanest'), it is often used in
dentistry. It is also often combined with lidocaine as a preparation for dermal anesthesia (
lidocaine/prilocaine or EMLA). As it has low cardiac toxicity, it is commoly used for
intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA).
In some patients, a metabolite of prilocaine may cause the unusual side-effect of
methaemoglobinaemia.