Clinical pharmacology of local anaesthetics

Abstract

Much basic pharmacologic and physiologic data relating to local anaesthetics has become available in the last 10-15 years. This now forms the basis of much greater efficacy and safety in the use of neural blockade procedures. Local anaesthetics have special characteristics in that their therapeutic index (approx.2) is quite low, their use depends upon anatomical knowledge and technical skill and their toxic effects are potentially fatal. However, they have the great potential advantage that they are administered by a doctor who should be present at the time toxicity or other adverse effects are likely to occur.