Question

Why is cocaine not widely used as a local anesthetic?

A. There is a chance the cocaine will enter the blood stream.
B. There is possibility for abuse.
C. Since cocaine breaks down quickly, the effects are brief.
D. all of the above

Answer 1

Cocaine is not widely used as a local anesthetic due to its potential to enter the bloodstream, high abuse possibility, and short duration of effect. Modern alternative anesthetics are safer and lack cocaine's addictive properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cocaine is not widely used as a local anesthetic for several reasons. Firstly, cocaine can easily enter the bloodstream, which may cause systemic effects rather than just local anesthesia. Secondly, there is a high potential for abuse due to its addictive properties, which affect the reward pathway in the brain. Lastly, the effects of cocaine are relatively brief because it breaks down quickly, which limits its practicality as a long-lasting local anesthetic. Modern anesthetics like lidocaine and novocaine, which are sodium channel blockers, are preferred as they disable neurons from transmitting pain signals without the addictive properties or systemic effects of cocaine.