Local Anesthetics Onset & Duration

Product Indications Onset Duration of Pulpal Anesthesia Duration of Soft Tissue Anesthesia
ULTRACAINE D-S
Articaine HCI 4%
with epinephrine 1:200,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
1-2 Minutes

1-2 Minutes
45-60 Minutes

45-60 Minutes
2-5 Hours

2-5 Hours
ULTRACAINE D-S FORTE
Articaine HCI 4%
with epinephrine 1:100,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
1-2 Minutes

1-2 Minutes
60-75 Minutes

60-75 Minutes
3-6 Hours

3-6 Hours
CITANEST FORTE
Prilocaine HCI 4%
with epinephrine 1:200,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2 Minutes

2-4 Minutes
< 45 Minutes

60-90 Minutes
2 Hours

3 Hours
CITANEST PLAIN
Prilocaine HCI 4%
without vasoconstrictor
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2-3 Minutes

> 5 Minutes
15 Minutes

60 Minutes
1-1.5 Hours

2.5 Hours
POLOCAINE 2%
Mepivacaine HCI 2%
with levonordefrin 1:20,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2-3 Minutes

> 5 Minutes
40-60 Minutes

60-90 Minutes
3-5 Hours

3-5 Hours
POLOCAINE 3%
Mepivacaine HCI 3%
without vasoconstrictor
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2-3 Minutes

> 5 Minutes
20 Minutes

40 Minutes
2-3 Hours

2-3 Hours
XYLOCAINE GREEN
Lidocaine HCI 2%
with epinephrine 1:50,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2-3 Minutes

> 5 Minutes
> 60 Minutes

60-85 Minutes
2.5 Hours

3-5 Hours
XYLOCAINE RED
Lidocaine HCI 2%
with epinephrine 1:100,000
Infiltration
Mandibular Nerve
Block Anesthesia
2-3 Minutes

2-3 Minutes
> 60 Minutes

60-85 Minutes
2.5 Hours

3-5 Hours

References:
SF Malamed, Handbook Of Local Anesthesia, 4th edition, Mosby-Year Book, 1997.
Aventis Ultracaine Product Monograph
AstraZeneca Product Monographs