What is used as a preservative of local anesthetic?

Prepare for the CRDTS Local Anesthesia Test with our quiz. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to ensure you're ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is used as a preservative of local anesthetic?

Explanation:
Local anesthetic solutions that contain epinephrine need protection against oxidation to keep the vasoconstrictor active. Sodium bisulfite acts as an antioxidant preservative, scavenging oxidizing agents and preventing epinephrine from degrading, which preserves potency and color over time. The other substances have different roles: sodium chloride adjusts tonicity, ethanol is mainly a solvent/antiseptic, and glycerin is a humectant/stabilizer rather than an antioxidant preservative. That’s why sodium bisulfite is the preservative used for local anesthetic solutions with epinephrine.

Local anesthetic solutions that contain epinephrine need protection against oxidation to keep the vasoconstrictor active. Sodium bisulfite acts as an antioxidant preservative, scavenging oxidizing agents and preventing epinephrine from degrading, which preserves potency and color over time. The other substances have different roles: sodium chloride adjusts tonicity, ethanol is mainly a solvent/antiseptic, and glycerin is a humectant/stabilizer rather than an antioxidant preservative. That’s why sodium bisulfite is the preservative used for local anesthetic solutions with epinephrine.

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