lignocaine

Short-term local anaesthetic injected into tissues or applied to skin. It is effective for brief, invasive procedures such as dental care or insertion of a cannula (small tube) into a vein. Temporary paralysis (to prevent involuntary movement during eye surgery, for example) can be achieved by injection directly into the nerve serving the region.

Rapidly absorbed by mucous membranes (lining tissues), lignocaine may be sprayed into the nose or throat to allow comfortable insertion of a viewing instrument during endoscopy. Its action makes it a potent anti-arrhythmia drug as well: given intravenously during or following a heart attack, it reduces the risk of cardiac arrest.