Chu,+Michelle1

__Novocaine__
By: Michelle Chu

__Chemical Description__ Novocaine is the commercial name for Procaine. Novocaine’s generic name is procaine hydrochloride. The structural formula is C13H20N2O2 and its molar mass is 236.31g/mol. It is benzoic acid, 4-amino-, 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester. It’s a white crystalline, odorless powder that is soluble in water.

__History__ It was first manufactured in 1898 and was the first inject able man-made local anesthetic. The trade name novocaine comes from the Latin //nov-// (meaning new) and //–caine//, which is a common ending for alkaloids used as anesthetics.



__Uses__ Procaine is a local anesthetic drug. It’s mainly used to reduce the pain of an intramuscular injection of penicillin and is also widely used in dentistry. It works by stabilizing the neuronal membrane and prevents the initiation and transmission of nerve impulses. Initial effects can be felt almost immediately (2-5 minutes) and can last an average of a few hours. Procaine is being used less frequently since the introduction of more effective and hypoallergenic alternatives, such as lidocaine. Before Procaine, cocaine was the most commonly used anesthetic.



1. I did not know that cocaine was the previous anesthetic before procaine. That was interesting, and a huge overlook on the regulators' part. 2. I thought the 3D model you used gave a good interpretation. 3. I would have liked to see some side effects. 4. I would like to know if they used procaine in anything besides dentistry.

Sources: http://www.cainpowder.com/images/img0002.png http://www.drugs.com/pro/novocaine.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procaine http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/?cat=96