Which 2 anesthetics are available plain (no epinephrine)?

Which 2 anesthetics are available plain (no epinephrine)?

• A. Mepivacaine & Prilocaine
• B. Lidocaine & Prilocaine
• C. Articaine & Bupivacaine
• D. Mepivacaine & Articaine

Answer: (A)

Plain formulations are local anesthetics used without any vasoconstrictor like epinephrine. Because epinephrine prolongs anesthesia and reduces bleeding, not all agents are commonly stocked or used without it. Among the common dental anesthetics, the ones that are routinely available in a plain form are mepivacaine and prilocaine. Mepivacaine without vasoconstrictor is typically used in a 3% plain preparation, and prilocaine without vasoconstrictor is available as 4% plain. These two are favored for plain use because their intrinsic vasodilating effects are relatively modest, so they still provide useful anesthesia without added epinephrine. In contrast, lidocaine, articaine, and bupivacaine are usually provided with a vasoconstrictor in standard formulations, making plain versions less common.

Plain formulations are local anesthetics used without any vasoconstrictor like epinephrine. Because epinephrine prolongs anesthesia and reduces bleeding, not all agents are commonly stocked or used without it. Among the common dental anesthetics, the ones that are routinely available in a plain form are mepivacaine and prilocaine. Mepivacaine without vasoconstrictor is typically used in a 3% plain preparation, and prilocaine without vasoconstrictor is available as 4% plain. These two are favored for plain use because their intrinsic vasodilating effects are relatively modest, so they still provide useful anesthesia without added epinephrine. In contrast, lidocaine, articaine, and bupivacaine are usually provided with a vasoconstrictor in standard formulations, making plain versions less common.