Chloroprocaine (N,N′-diethylaminoethyl 4-amino-2-chlorobenzoate) is a very short-acting, amino
ester-type local anesthetic used to provide regional anesthesia by infiltration as well as by
peripheral and central nerve block, including lumbar and caudal epidural blocks. The presence of
a chlorine atom ortho to the carbonyl of the ester function increases its rate of hydrolysis by
plasma cholinesterase at least threefold compared to procaine and benzocaine. Thus,
chloroprocaine may be used in maternal and neonatal patients with minimal placental passage of
chloroprocaine. The lower plasma cholinesterase activity in the maternal epidural space must still
have sufficient activity for degrading chloroprocaine and, thus, not allowing it to cross the
placenta barrier. Like PABA, the hydrolysis product of chloroprocaine, 4-amino-2-chlorobenzoic acid, also inhibits
the action of sulfonamides. Therefore, its use with sulfonamides should be avoided.
Chloroprocaine is an ester that is metabolised rapidly by ester hydrolysis,
so its duration of action is short and potential for cardiac toxicity relatively
low. It can be used as a preservative-free solution for spinal anaesthesia for
surgical procedures up to 40 min in duration.
ChEBI: Procaine in which one of the hydrogens ortho- to the carboxylic acid group is substituted by chlorine. It is used as its monohydrochloride salt as a local anaesthetic, particularly for oral surgery. It has the advantage over lidocaine of const
icting blood vessels, so reducing bleeding.
Chloroprocaine hydrochloride (Nesacaine) is obtained
from addition of a chlorine atom to procaine, which results
in a compound of greater potency and less toxicity
than procaine itself. This local anesthetic is hydrolyzed
very rapidly by cholinesterase and therefore has a short
plasma half-life. Because it is broken down rapidly,
chloroprocaine is commonly used in obstetrics. It is believed
that the small amount that might get to the fetus
continues to be rapidly hydrolyzed, so there may be no
residual effects on the neonate.
The 2 chloride substitution on the aromatic ring of chloroprocaineis an electron-withdrawing functional group. Thus, itpulls the electron density from the carbonyl carbon into thering. The carbonyl carbon is now a stronger electrophile andmore susceptible to ester hydrolysis. Therefore, chloroprocainehas a more rapid metabolism than procaine. The in vitroplasma half-life is approximately 25 seconds. The 2-chloro-4-aminobenzoic acid metabolite precludes this from being usedin patients allergic to PABA. The very short duration of actionmeans that this drug can be used in large doses for conductionblock (with rapid onset and short duration of action.).
Chloroprocaine is used for cutaneous or mucous membraneinfiltration for surgical procedures, epidural anesthesia(without preservatives) and for peripheral conduction block.
