Phentolamine Mesylate as a Drug for Reversal of Local Anaesthesia - A Questionnaire Based Study

Local anaesthesia being the most commonly administered drug in dentistry has its prolonged action for up to 3 - 5 hours due to the addition of vasoconstrictors. The extended periods of soft tissue anaesthesia due to the addition of these vasoconstrictors can cause other problems while speaking, drinking, and eating during which there is a higher risk of experiencing self-inflicted injuries to the tongue and lips. Phentolamine mesylate is a drug which helps in the reversal of action of local anaesthesia. Hence, the objective of this study was to provide a basic knowledge about this drug to the patient and assess the interest of the patient in taking the drug when given a choice. METHODSA questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 patients who required the administration of inferior alveolar nerve block for their dental treatment. This questionnaire contained basic information about Phentolamine Mesylate drug along with six questions where the patient was asked as to whether or not he / she was willing to take this drug for reversal of the effect of local anaesthesia and specific reason for its usage. RESULTSAmong 200 patients, 122 patients wanted to reverse the effect of local anaesthesia by the use of the phentolamine mesylate drug. Amongst these patients, 93 wanted to take the drug orally initially and upon informing that the injection will be given in the previously anaesthetized area, 91 patients preferred to take an injection of the drug. CONCLUSIONSMajority of patients surveyed in this study wanted to reverse the effect of local anaesthesia by taking phentolamine mesylate drug. However, there is a need to increase the awareness of the type of drug used and the importance of administration of the same.