What it is used for
- Local anaesthesia before fillings, extractions or other dental procedures
- Nerve block or injection around a tooth during dental treatment
How it is used
- It is given only by a dentist after reviewing your health and medicines
- Avoid chewing and hot drinks until numbness has worn off so you do not bite your tongue or lip or burn your mouth
- Follow the dentist's aftercare advice and contact them if numbness persists or unusual symptoms develop
Possible side effects
- Pain or mild swelling at the injection site and headache
- Temporary numbness of the lip, tongue or cheek
- Palpitations, tremor or dizziness from the adrenaline in some products
- Rarely, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, severe allergy or blue-grey skin discolouration
Who should not use it
- Allergy to articaine or a similar local anaesthetic
- Sulfite allergy when a product containing adrenaline is used
Before and while using it
- Tell your dentist if you have heart disease, an abnormal rhythm or uncontrolled blood pressure
- Tell them if you have liver or kidney disease, or a blood disorder such as methaemoglobinaemia or G6PD deficiency
- Tell the team immediately about ringing in the ears, a metallic taste, numbness around the mouth, confusion or breathing difficulty
- Get urgent help if the skin or lips turn grey or blue, or facial swelling develops
Medicine interactions
- Some antidepressants, beta blockers and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can increase adrenaline effects on the heart and blood pressure
- Other local anaesthetics and some heart rhythm medicines can increase toxicity
- Medicines that can cause methaemoglobinaemia, such as nitrates, dapsone and some antibiotics, increase the risk
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell your dentist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; they will choose the most suitable product and the lowest suitable amount for the procedure
How to store it
- The dentist stores and prepares this medicine in the clinic
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.