Final answer:
Prilocaine can cause methemoglobinemia by oxidizing normal hemoglobin into methemoglobin. Lidocaine and procaine work as Na+ channel blockers, inhibiting nerve impulse propagation and causing a loss of sensation, making them effective local anesthetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. One of the causes of methemoglobinemia is exposure to certain drugs.
Among the drugs mentioned, prilocaine is known to produce methemoglobinemia. When prilocaine is metabolized in the body, it can lead to the formation of a compound called ortho-toluidine, which causes oxidation of hemoglobin and the development of methemoglobinemia.