Local anaesthesia causing methemoglobinemia
High-Yield Explanation
Prilocaine Prilocaine is an amide local anaesthetic that is metabolized to ohotolidine. Ohotolidine is an oxidizing compound capable of conveing hemoglobin to methemoglobin. As methemoglobinemia reduces the amount of hemoglobin that is available for oxygen transpo this side effect is potentially life threatening. Therefore dose limits for prilocaine should be strictly observed. Drugs causing methemoglobinemia Anilines Aminophenois Aminoph enon es Chlorates/dapsone Prilocaine/benzocaine Nitrates/nitrites/naphthalene Nitrobenzene Phenazopyridine Primaquine and related antimalarials Sulfonamides