Which tissue primarily metabolizes benzocaine, tetracaine, and procaine?

Prepare for the Pain Control and Anesthesia Test. Enhance your understanding with multiple choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations. Equip yourself with the knowledge to ace the exam!

Multiple Choice

Which tissue primarily metabolizes benzocaine, tetracaine, and procaine?

Explanation:
Esters are rapidly inactivated by plasma cholinesterases. Benzocaine, tetracaine, and procaine are ester-type local anesthetics, so their metabolism occurs mainly in the blood plasma where these enzymes hydrolyze the ester bond, yielding inactive metabolites. The liver is the primary site for metabolism of amide local anesthetics (such as lidocaine), while the kidneys and lungs play less central roles in metabolizing these esters.

Esters are rapidly inactivated by plasma cholinesterases. Benzocaine, tetracaine, and procaine are ester-type local anesthetics, so their metabolism occurs mainly in the blood plasma where these enzymes hydrolyze the ester bond, yielding inactive metabolites. The liver is the primary site for metabolism of amide local anesthetics (such as lidocaine), while the kidneys and lungs play less central roles in metabolizing these esters.

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