Benzocaine
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- benzocaine
- Drug class
- Topical local anesthetic
- Form
- Oral gel
- Route
- Topical application to oral mucosa
- Legal status
- Available in OTC oral pain-relief products and professional dental-use-only products, depending on the product
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What benzocaine is and how it works
Benzocaine oral gel is a topical local anesthetic applied to oral mucosa. Reviewed products include OTC gels for temporary relief of pain from minor dental procedures and minor oral irritation, and a professional dental-use gel used before specified dental procedures. (1) (2)
OTC and professional dental-use products are not used in the same way. The professional dental gel is labeled for professional dental use only. Reviewed labels state that benzocaine oral gel is not for children under 2 years of age.
Mechanism of action: how benzocaine works
Benzocaine is described in the reviewed professional label as a topical anesthetic applied to oral mucosa. (1) (2)
What benzocaine is used for
Temporary relief of minor oral pain
OTC oral benzocaine gel is labeled for temporary relief of pain associated with minor dental procedures and minor oral irritation. (2)
Professional dental procedures
The reviewed professional dental-use gel is a topical anesthetic for oral mucosa before local anesthetic injections, scaling, and prophylaxis. It also helps relieve discomfort during dental-impression-taking and intraoral X-rays. (1)
Before taking benzocaine
Do not take / not appropriate for
- The reviewed professional dental label lists known sensitivity to benzocaine or PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) as a contraindication. A clinician or dentist should assess whether a benzocaine product is appropriate for a person with this history. (Professional dental-use benzocaine gel) (1)
- Reviewed labels state that benzocaine oral gel is not for use in children under 2 years of age. A clinician should advise on appropriate care for a child in this age group. (Reviewed OTC and professional dental-use oral gels) (1) (2)
Tell your clinician about
- Any known sensitivity to benzocaine or PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid).
- Any symptoms that occur after use, including possible allergic-reaction symptoms or symptoms of methemoglobinemia.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, because pregnancy and breastfeeding information was not identified in the reviewed labels.
- Whether the product is intended for consumer oral-pain relief or professional dental use, because the reviewed product instructions differ.
How to take benzocaine
- Use the exact product according to its label or the dentist's directions.
- For OTC oral-pain-relief use, apply only the amount needed to the affected area to prevent or relieve pain; it is not intended for larger-area or prolonged use.
- OTC labeling states not to use the product for more than 7 days unless directed by a physician or dentist.
- The reviewed professional dental gel is labeled for professional dental use only.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
No missed-dose instructions were identified in the reviewed labeling. OTC oral benzocaine gel is used for temporary pain relief, while the reviewed dental-use gel is applied by a professional for dental procedures.
Overdose
Contact Poison Control immediately if an overdose is suspected. Seek medical attention promptly for symptoms of methemoglobinemia; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop use. (1) (2)
Side effects
Benzocaine gel can cause temporary local anesthetic effects at the application site. Rare but serious methemoglobinemia is also described in reviewed labeling.
Temporary local burning, stinging, or numbness
What to notice: A burning or stinging sensation at the application site and temporary numbness of the treated area, possibly including adjacent soft tissue, tongue, or throat.
What to do: Tell a clinician or dentist if these effects are troublesome, persistent, or concerning. (1)
Allergic or hypersensitivity reaction
What to notice: Rash, itching, or swelling at or near the application site can occur in sensitized individuals.
What to do: Seek clinical or dental assessment promptly if these symptoms occur; the clinician or dentist can advise on further use. (1)
Possible methemoglobinemia
What to notice: Confusion; pale, gray, or blue lips, nail beds, or skin; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; rapid heart rate; or shortness of breath. Consumer labeling states these symptoms usually occur within minutes to 2 hours after application.
What to do: Seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms occur; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop use. (1) (2)
Serious warnings
Methemoglobinemia — emergency
Symptoms: Confusion; pale, gray, or blue lips, nail beds, or skin; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; rapid heart rate; or shortness of breath. Consumer labeling states these symptoms usually occur within minutes to 2 hours after application.
Action: Seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms occur; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop use. (1) (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Drug interactions | No specific drug-drug interactions were documented in the reviewed labeling. This is a labeling gap and does not confirm that benzocaine has no interactions. | Give a clinician, dentist, or pharmacist a complete list of medicines and products when interaction advice is needed. (1) (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children under 2 years of age
Reviewed OTC and professional dental-use labels state that benzocaine oral gel is not for use in children under 2 years of age. A clinician should assess appropriate care for a child in this age group. (1) (2)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding information was not identified in either reviewed label. Discuss use with a clinician or dentist. (1) (2)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm whether the intended product is an OTC oral pain-relief gel or a professional dental-use-only gel.
- Check for known sensitivity to benzocaine or PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid).
- For a child under 2 years of age, obtain clinician advice rather than using a reviewed benzocaine oral gel.
During treatment
- Monitor for local burning, stinging, temporary numbness, or allergic-reaction symptoms.
- Monitor for symptoms of methemoglobinemia, including pale, gray, or blue discoloration; headache; rapid heart rate; shortness of breath; dizziness or lightheadedness; fatigue; or confusion.
- For OTC products, seek physician or dentist advice if use beyond 7 days is being considered.
Storage
For the reviewed professional dental-use benzocaine gel, store at 59-86°F (15-30°C) and protect from freezing.
Professional information
Clinician- and dentist-facing context only. Use the current product-specific labeling and dental procedure requirements.
All regions
Indication: OTC oral pain relief and professional dental use
Dose summary: No numerical dosing regimen was identified in the reviewed sources. OTC labeling directs application of only the amount needed to the affected area and states that use is not intended for larger-area or prolonged use. The reviewed professional dental label directs application of a small amount to oral tissue using a new cotton applicator.
Renal context: No renal- or hepatic-impairment dosing guidance was identified in the reviewed sources. (1) (2)
Hepatic guidance
No hepatic-impairment dosing guidance was identified in the reviewed sources.
Overdose note
The reviewed professional label directs immediate contact with Poison Control for overdose. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
Can benzocaine oral gel be used for more than 7 days?
Reviewed OTC labeling states not to use it for more than 7 days unless directed by a physician or dentist. (2)
Can benzocaine oral gel be used in a child under 2 years old?
Reviewed OTC and professional dental-use labels state that it is not for use in children under 2 years of age. A clinician should advise on appropriate care. (1) (2)
What symptoms can indicate methemoglobinemia after benzocaine gel?
Symptoms listed in reviewed labeling include confusion; pale, gray, or blue lips, nail beds, or skin; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; rapid heart rate; and shortness of breath. Consumer labeling states they usually occur within minutes to 2 hours after application. Seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms occur; let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop use. (1) (2)
References
- Benzocaine topical anesthetic gel — professional dental use labelingU.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
- Consumer OTC benzocaine oral gel labeling synthesisSynthesis of consumer OTC oral analgesic gel labels (DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 2
- DO ME DELAY CREAM (BENZOCAINE) CREAM [PRODIGY MEDIA] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Thera Plus Maximum Strength Feminine Anti-Itch — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA M017)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- benzocaine — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1049105)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient benzocaine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Chigg Away50 mg/mL · pharma nobis, llc
- HurriCaine Topical Anesthetic200 mg/g · beutlich pharmaceuticals, llc
- Candee Caine Topical Anesthetic200 mg/g · top quality manufacturing, inc.
- Quala Topical Anesthetic Gel200 mg/g · national distribution & contracting, inc
- Topicale Xtra200 mg/g · medical products laboratories,inc.
- Family Wellness Pain Relief.2 g/g, 200 mg/g · family dollar services inc
- Finafta MultiOral7.5 mg00mL · dextrum laboratories inc.
- UltraCare Anesthetic Gel200 mg/g · the bellport company, inc. dba gingi-pak
- Dental Relief200 mg/g · cintas corporation
- BencoCaine Topical Anesthetic200 mg/g, 11.4 g/57g · benco dental