Local anesthetic methods and kits

Abstract

Methods of reversing local anesthesia are disclosed. The methods comprise administering a local anesthetic and alpha adrenergic receptor agonist to induce local anesthesia followed by reversing anesthesia with a low dose of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist. Also disclosed are kits comprising a local anesthetic, an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist and a low dose of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . A unit dose of a composition, said unit dose comprising between about 0.0018 mg and about 0.45 mg phentolamine mesylate or a molar equivalent of another alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration to a mammal.  
     
     
         34 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , comprising between about 0.09 mg and about 0.45 mg phentolamine mesylate or a molar equivalent of another alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist.  
     
     
         35 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , wherein said composition is a solution formulated for administration to a mammal by injection, infiltration, or topical application.  
     
     
         36 . The unit dose of  claim 35 , wherein said solution is formulated for topical application to mucosal tissue.  
     
     
         37 . The unit dose of  claim 36 , wherein said solution is used to impregnate a wafer, pellet, or cotton ball, for application to mucosal tissue.  
     
     
         38 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , wherein said composition is a gel or a paste formulated for topical administration to a mammal.  
     
     
         39 . The unit dose of  claim 38 , wherein said composition is formulated for topical application to mucosal tissue.  
     
     
         40 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of phentolamine, phentolamine hydrochloride, phentolamine mesylate, tolazoline, yohimbine, rauwolscine, doxazosine, labetalol, prazosine, tetrazosine and trimazosine.  
     
     
         41 . The unit dose of  claim 40 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is phentolamine mesylate.  
     
     
         42 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , wherein said unit dose is present in a container that fits into a standard dental local anesthetic syringe.  
     
     
         43 . The unit dose of  claim 42 , wherein said container has a volume of between 1.6 ml and 1.8 ml.  
     
     
         44 . The unit dose of  claim 33 , wherein the unit dose comprises phentolamine mesylate, said unit dose being present in a container that fits into a standard dental local anesthetic syringe.