Lidocaine

Also known as: Xylocaine; Anestacon; Dilocaine; Solarcaine; LidoPen; Nervocaine; Octocaine; Lignocaine

Lidocaine is an amide synthesized from cocaine, and is chemically related to Benzocaine. Lidocaine is one of the most widely used local anesthetics, and is administered in a variety of ways, including: topical solutions, rectal suppositories, aerosol sprays, Gel, and subcutaneous injection.

Lidocaine is commonly used in the wetting solution for liposuction, and used in cream form for analgesia during circumcision in newborns. Lidocaine is also effective as a drug in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.

Lidocaine was introduced in 1943 by Swedish chemists Nils Lofgven and Bengt Lundquist, and was accepted for use in dental applications in the United States in 1950. Lidocaine is quickly replacing novocaine for use as intravenous anesthesia.

Outside the U.S., this stuff is known as lignocaine.

note: Accipiter is referring to regional blocks (not general anesthesia) in his writeup above when he says lidocaine is used as intravenous anesthesia.