Etidocaine HCl is a local anesthetic classified as an amide, structurally similar to lidocaine. Its chemical formula is 2-(N-Ethylpropylamine) butyro-2,6-xylidide hydrochloride, which differentiates it from other amides due to its longer action. Prepared by Takman in 1971, etidocaine gained FDA approval in August 1976 for medical use, primarily in dentistry and surgery. It became a popular anesthetic for procedures requiring prolonged anesthesia, especially due to its extended duration of action compared to other anesthetics like lidocaine. Despite its usefulness, dental cartridges of etidocaine HCl combined with epinephrine (1:200,000) were withdrawn from the North American market in 2002, primarily due to advancements in other anesthetic options that offered safer profiles or reduced toxicity.
Etidocaine’s pharmacological properties make it ideal for use in procedures requiring deep anesthesia and long-lasting effects. However, its withdrawal points to the emergence of concerns regarding adverse effects and alternative solutions offering a better risk-benefit balance. While its use has decreased, etidocaine is still mentioned in anesthetic literature for its potency and historical relevance in the evolution of local anesthetics. Due to its vasodilatory properties, its formulations often contained epinephrine to prolong the effect by constricting blood vessels and reducing rapid absorption into the bloodstream.
