Which sequence lists amide local anesthetics from shortest to longest duration?

Which sequence lists amide local anesthetics from shortest to longest duration?

• A. Mepivacaine, Lidocaine, Prilocaine, Articaine, Bupivacaine
• B. Lidocaine, Mepivacaine, Prilocaine, Articaine, Bupivacaine
• C. Mepivacaine, Prilocaine, Lidocaine, Articaine, Bupivacaine
• D. Mepivacaine, Lidocaine, Articaine, Prilocaine, Bupivacaine

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how long an amide local anesthetic stays active at the site, which depends on factors like lipid solubility, tissue retention, and how quickly it’s cleared. Among the commonly used amides, the sequence from shortest to longest duration reflects how these drugs differ in staying power: mepivacaine is typically the shortest-acting, lidocaine lasts a bit longer, prilocaine sits longer than lidocaine, articaine tends to have longer duration than prilocaine in practice, and bupivacaine is the longest-acting of the group. This is why the order places mepivacaine first, followed by lidocaine, then prilocaine, then articaine, and finally bupivacaine. Keep in mind that using a vasoconstrictor can extend each drug’s duration, but the relative ranking generally remains the same.

The main idea is how long an amide local anesthetic stays active at the site, which depends on factors like lipid solubility, tissue retention, and how quickly it’s cleared. Among the commonly used amides, the sequence from shortest to longest duration reflects how these drugs differ in staying power: mepivacaine is typically the shortest-acting, lidocaine lasts a bit longer, prilocaine sits longer than lidocaine, articaine tends to have longer duration than prilocaine in practice, and bupivacaine is the longest-acting of the group. This is why the order places mepivacaine first, followed by lidocaine, then prilocaine, then articaine, and finally bupivacaine. Keep in mind that using a vasoconstrictor can extend each drug’s duration, but the relative ranking generally remains the same.