Benzocaine Abuse

Benzocaine is a prescription medication that helps alleviate pain. It is often given as a topical ointment and works by numbing the area. Many over-the-counter medications for toothaches and sore throats use benzocaine as a numbing agent.

Access

• Most people who abuse benzocaine may do so because benzocaine treatment may be cheaper and more available than seeking professional medical help. This is unlike other substances, where there is a chemical dependency to the drug that usually causes the person to abuse the substance.

Side Effects

• Side effects of long-term use or short- or long-term abuse can include tiredness, convulsions, respiratory problems, numbness, problems maintaining a proper internal body temperature, double vision, and psychological problems such as anxiety. Sometimes abuse can even result in benzocaine toxicity.

Sprays

• Overuse of mouth and throat sprays containing benzocaine can be potentially fatal. This is one of the fastest ways to ingest toxic levels of the drug.

Toxicity

• Benzocaine overuse can bring on methemoglobinemia---when an abnormal amount of hemoglobin builds up in blood, sometimes making it harder for oxygen to reach tissues in the body. If there are too many methemoglobins, certain systems---such as respiratory and cardiovascular---may not be able to function properly.

Treatment

• Blood transfusions may be necessary in severe cases of benzocaine toxicity. The most common treatment is and prescription oral medication called methylene blue. Ascorbic acid treatment is a less common treatment which may be used to reduce the level of hemoglobin in the body.