FRCA Notes


Local Anaesthetic Agents

  • With respect to local anaesthetics, the core curriculum asks for knowledge of:
    • Their additional effects, including anti-arrhythmic properties
    • Mechanism of action
    • Clinical factors influencing choice of LA
    • Local anaesthetic toxicity and management thereof

  • The time-poor candidate may wish to read the 'general principles' page and cross their fingers a more intensive interrogation fails to materialise.

  • General principles of local anaesthetic pharmacology

  • Amide local anaesthetics
    • Lidocaine
    • (Levo)Bupivacaine
    • Ropivacaine
    • Prilocaine

  • Ester local anaesthetics
    • Amethocaine
    • Cocaine

  • Local anaesthetic toxicity (from the clinical incident section)