Hurricaine

Hurricaine is part of the drug classes:

• Anesthetics for topical use

• Anesthetics, local

• Esters of aminobenzoic acid

• Local anesthetics

Benzocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Benzocaine topical is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by minor skin irritations, sore throat, sunburn, teething pain, vaginal or rectal irritation, ingrown toenails, hemorrhoids, and many other sources of minor pain on a surface of the body. Benzocaine is also used to numb the skin or surfaces inside the mouth, nose, throat, vagina, or rectum to lessen the pain of inserting a medical instrument such as a tube or speculum.

There are many brands and forms of benzocaine topical available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Benzocaine topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of benzocaine topical applied to the skin can cause life-threatening side effects such as uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), coma, slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops).

Avoid eating within 1 hour after using benzocaine topical on your gums or inside your mouth.

Benzocaine topical is for use only on the surface of your body, or just inside the mouth, vagina, or rectum. Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. Avoid swallowing the gel, liquid, or ointment while applying it to your gums or the inside of your mouth. The throat spray or oral lozenge may be swallowed gradually during use.

Benzocaine topical used in the mouth or throat may cause a rare but life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia. In this condition, the amount of oxygen in your blood stream becomes dangerously low. This condition may occur after only one use of benzocaine or after several uses.

Signs and symptoms may occur within minutes or up to 2 hours after using benzocaine topical in the mouth or throat. GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP IF YOU HAVE:

• headache, tired feeling, confusion;

• fast heart rate;

• feeling light-headed or short of breath; and

• pale, blue, or gray appearance of your skin, lips, or fingernails.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using benzocaine topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe burning, stinging, or sensitivity where the medicine is applied;

• swelling, warmth, or redness; or

• oozing, blistering, or any signs of infection.

Common side effects may include:

• mild stinging, burning, or itching where the medicine is applied;

• skin tenderness or redness; or

• dry white flakes where the medicine was applied.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Anbesol
• Babee Teething
• Benzodent
• Benz-O-Sthetic
• Bi-Zets/Benzo-Troches
• Dentemp's
• Dent-O-Kain/20
• Detane
• Gumsol
• HAD
• Hurricaine
• Hurricane Spray Kit
• Kank-A Soft Brush
• Larynex
• Miradyne-3
• Mycinette
• Orabase-B
• Oracaine
• Ora film
• Orajel
• OraMagic Plus
• Orasol
• Red Cross Canker Sore
• Thorets
• Trocaine
• Zetts
• Zilactin
• Zilactin-B

In Canada

• Anbesol Extra Strength
• Anbesol Liquid
• Baby Anbesol
• Baby Orajel
• Baby Orajel Liquid
• Maximum Strength Orajel Pm
• Orajel Extra Strength

Available Dosage Forms:

• Gel/Jelly
• Liquid
• Solution
• Film
• Lozenge/Troche
• Lotion
• Ointment
• Powder for Suspension
• Cream
• Tablet, Disintegrating
• Swab
• Spray
• Gum
• Paste

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Ester

Benzocaine lozenges are used to relieve pain and irritation caused by sore throat, sore mouth, or canker sores.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of benzocaine lozenges in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children below 5 years of age.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of benzocaine in geriatric patients.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Infection in or around your mouth or
• Large sores in or around your mouth—The chance of side effects may be increased.

If your condition does not improve within 7 days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Call your doctor right away if you start to have a severe sore throat or sore throat that occurs with a high fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting. These maybe signs of an infection.