Topical ester local anaesthetic
Tetracaine
Brand names: Ametop, Minims tetracaine
Adult dose
Dose: Skin: 4% gel for 30–45 min before cannulation. Ophthalmic: 0.5% or 1% — 1 drop
Route: Topical
Frequency: PRN
Clinical pearls
- Topical anaesthesia for IV cannulation in children, ophthalmic procedures
- Ametop preferred for venepuncture (vasodilation)
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to ester LAs
- Premature infants
- Broken skin (caution)
Side effects
- Erythema
- Oedema
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Ophthalmic stinging
Interactions
- Other LAs
Reference: BNF; AAGBI; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tetracaine/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
Pathways
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
- Syncope Assessment · ESC 2018 Syncope Guidelines; NICE NG109
- Acute Chest Pain · NICE CG95; ESC 2023 ACS Guidelines