Our benzocaine, lidocaine, tetracaine anesthetic cream is used by dermatologists and other healthcare professionals throughout the country. In the majority of cases this cream is applied correctly and there are no serious adverse effects. However, negligence does occur in some cases when proper precautions are not followed. It is important to understand BLT cream before using it on a patient and understand the symptoms of anesthetic toxicity. What is BLT…

Radiofrequency microneedling, also called RF microneedling, has become increasingly popular with patients seeking skin rejuvenation. The treatment uses a combination of technologies that have been used individually for many years. When used together they are intended to have synergistic effects to increase collagen production and improve skin tone and texture. While not as painful as some more invasive treatments, RF microneedling still requires a numbing cream to get the best…

One of the formulations we consistently receive requests for is high-powered topical anesthetic gels. There are numerous numbing gels used by dentists for numbing prior to routine dental care, oral surgery, and orthodontic procedures. How do numbing gels work though, and why are some formulations more effective than others? Anesthetics Designed for Topical Use A topical anesthetic is not just an injectable anesthetic applied without a needle. Unlike an injected…

Tetracaine is a potent ester used as a topical anesthetic for ENT procedures. Tetracaine is effective for anesthetizing accessible mucous membranes including the larynx, trachea, and esophagus. Onset is within 6-12 minutes and the effects can last up to two hours. Tetracaine has ten times the potency of procaine and has been shown to be a superior topical anesthetic for nasal procedures. It produces greater decreases in pain perception than…

As cosmetic laser treatments and injectables such as Botox and fillers have become more popular so has the use of topical anesthesia by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other doctors. Topical numbing creams like BLT cream make the experience of having an injectable or laser procedure more comfortable. When the patient finds that getting their injection or laser treatment is easy and painless, they are more likely to come back to…

One of our popular compounds at Park Compounding Pharmacy is our TAC 20. However, the name TAC 20 is not an accurate acronym for this dental anesthesia. The “TAC” used to stand for tetracaine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and cocaine and the product was used mostly in emergency rooms. Since the product no longer contains those exact ingredients we often call it TAC 20% alternate. Now, our specially compounded prescription TAC 20…