Dibucaine
Description
Dibucaine is a local anaesthetic (numbing medicine). It is used to treat pain, irritation, and itching of the ears. This medicine works by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals from the affected area to the brain. It also numbs the area where it is applied and lowers how much pain you feel.
Dibucaine may rarely cause mild irritation, stinging, burning sensation, redness, rash, etc. These symptoms usually subside on their own. However, consult your doctor if they persist or become severe.
Dibucaine is meant for use in the ears only. It should be instilled as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands properly before and after administering the ear drop. To avoid contamination, do not touch the tip of the bottle with your fingers or let it touch your ear or any other surfaces. Continue using this medicine for the prescribed duration for best results.
Dibucaine should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are using and your medical history before beginning treatment with this medicine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dibucaine
- Ear discomfort
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Ear irritation
Uses of Dibucaine
What is it prescribed for?
- Ear pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Dibucaine can be observed within 15-30 minutes of application.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Dibucaine lasts for approximately 2-4 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Dibucaine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Dibucaine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Dibucaine passes into breastmilk. Hence consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid using Dibucaine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Dibucaine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Dibucaine passes into breastmilk. Hence consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
External use only
Dibucaine is meant for external use only. Avoid contact with your eyes or mouth. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with water. Seek immediate medical help in case of accidental ingestion.
Other medicines
Dibucaine may interact with certain medicines meant for topical use. Inform your doctor about all the topical preparations (ear drops/ear ointment/ear gel) that you may have been using to avoid undesired effects.
Contamination
Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your ear or any other surface while administering Dibucaine, as this may lead to the contamination of the medicine.
Perforated tympanic membrane
Dibucaine should be avoided if you have a hole in your eardrum. Hence consult your doctor before using this medicine in such a condition.
Methemoglobinaemia
Methemoglobinaemia is a blood disorder in which very little oxygen is delivered to the cells of the body. Dibucaine should be used with caution as it may rarely cause methemoglobinaemia.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Dibucaine. Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
As Dibucaine is intended for external use, the risk of serious side effects due to an overdose is low. However, do not administer more than the prescribed dose. Also, ingestion of this medicine may cause harm, and immediate medical intervention may be necessary.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Dibucaine is meant for external use only. Administer it as directed by your doctor. Do not discontinue this medicine without consulting your doctor.
For administration, tilt your head and position the ear towards the upper side. Hold the dropper over the ear and press gently to squeeze out the recommended drops. Pull the ear lobe up and down to make the medicine run through your ear canal.
Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your ear or other surfaces. Close the cover of the bottle after administration to keep it clean and free from contamination. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
Avoid touching your ears with unwashed hands. Do not use cotton earbuds to clean your ears unless specified by your doctor.
Do not give Dibucaine to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Dibucaine works by blocking the transmission of pain signals from the affected area to the brain. It also numbs the area where it is applied and lowers how much pain you feel.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Topical anesthetics
Schedule
OTC
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Dibucaine. [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 July 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 10 Aug 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.