Final answer:
Ester local anesthetics, which include drugs like procaine and benzocaine, have an ester link that is metabolically degraded through hydrolysis, differentiating them from amide local anesthetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of local anesthetics that includes drugs like procaine and benzocaine is known as ester local anesthetics. These anesthetics contain an ester link which is essential for their metabolic degradation and inactivation in the body. For example, procaine, a key component of Novocain used in dental work and minor surgery, undergoes hydrolysis, a process where the ester bond is readily hydrolyzed. This contributes to its effectiveness as a localized, reversible anesthetic. Ester local anesthetics are distinct from amide local anesthetics, which have a different chemical linkage. Drugs such as lidocaine and novocaine belong to the class of Na+ channel blockers, which prevent sodium from moving across the neuronal membrane, thus making them effective as local anesthetics by blocking nerve conduction.