Novocaine (Molecule of the Month for August 1999)
Anesthetic
Novocaine is a synthetically created derivative of cocaine and is used as an anesthetic in minor surgeries. It is quick acting, requiring only 3-5 minutes following injection for complete analgesia to set in. When used alone, it wears off quickly, in 12-15 minutes, but more commonly is mixed with epinephirne, it last for 30-45 minutes.
It was a primary anesthetic for dental surgery, but is now seldom used since more powerful anesthetics have been discovered.
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
2-(Diethylamino)ethyl 4-aminobenzoate hydrochloride
click on the picture of Novocaine above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Novocaine structure
(this will open a new browser window)
C13 H21 Cl N2 O2
Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
August 1999
)
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