Local anesthetics

Question 1

esters

Answer 1

metabolized by plasma esterases, Children have these plasma esterases and can tolerate esters.
one metabolite is PABA, which can cause allergic reactions. Patients with allergy to novacaine usually do well with amides for this reason.
Esters have only one “i” in their name (procaine, tetracaine)

Question 2

Amides

Answer 2

metabolized by hepatic enzymes, have at least 2 “i”’s in the name, eg lidocaine, bupivacaine