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 solution consisting essentially of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist at a concentration of from 0.05 mg/mL to about 0.25 mg/mL and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said solution is effective to reverse anesthesia in an animal caused by previous administration of an anesthetic agent and an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist, said solution being present in a container that fits into a standard dental local anesthetic syringe. 
   
   
       34 . The solution of  claim 33  wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of phentolamine, phentolamine mesylate, phentolamine hydrochloride, tolazoline, yohimbine, rauwolscine, doxazosine, labetalol, prazosine, tetrazosine and trimazosine. 
   
   
       35 . The solution of  claim 33 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is present at a concentration of about 0.25 mg/mL. 
   
   
       36 . The solution of  claim 33 , wherein said container contains a dose of said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist of between about 0.0018 mg to about 0.45 mg. 
   
   
       37 . The solution of  claim 36 , wherein said dose is between about 0.09 mg to about 0.45 mg. 
   
   
       38 . The solution of  claim 36 , wherein said container contains a dose of alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist at or below about 0.25 mg. 
   
   
       39 . The solution of  claims 33 , wherein said container is a CARPULE. 
   
   
       40 . The solution of  claims 33 , wherein said container has a volume of between 1.6 and 1.8 mL. 
   
   
       41 . A dental cartridge having a volume of between 1.6 mL and 1.8 mL, said cartridge containing a composition consisting essentially of about 0.0018 mg to about 0.45 mg phentolamine mesylate or a molar equivalent of another alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
   
       42 . The dental cartridge of  claim 41 , wherein said composition comprises between about 0.09 mg and about 0.45 mg phentolamine mesylate or a molar equivalent of another alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist. 
   
   
       43 . The dental cartridge of  claim 41 , wherein said another alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of phentolamine, phentolamine hydrochloride, tolazoline, yohimbine, rauwolscine, doxazosine, labetalol, prazosine, tetrazosine and trimazosine. 
   
   
       44 . The dental cartridge of  claim 41 , wherein said cartridge fits into a standard dental local anesthetic syringe. 
   
   
       45 . A dental cartridge having a volume of between 1.6 mL and 1.8 mL, said cartridge containing a composition consisting essentially of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist at a concentration of from about 0.001 mg/mL to about 0.25 mg/mL. 
   
   
       46 . The dental cartridge of  claim 45 , wherein said cartridge fits into a standard dental local anesthetic syringe. 
   
   
       47 . The dental cartridge of  claim 45 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of phentolamine, phentolamine mesylate, phentolamine hydrochloride, tolazoline, yohimbine, rauwolscine, doxazosine, labetalol, prazosine, tetrazosine and trimazosine. 
   
   
       48 . The dental cartridge of  claim 47 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is phentolamine mesylate. 
   
   
       49 . The dental cartridge of  claims 45 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is at a concentration of about 0.05 mg/mL to about 0.25 mg/mL. 
   
   
       50 . The dental cartridge of  claim 49 , wherein said alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist is present at a concentration of about 0.25 mg/mL.