Dimethocaine Hydrochloride CAS 553-63-9 | Pharmaceutical Chemical

Dimethocaine hydrochloride (also known as larocaine hydrochloride).

It typically appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder.

It exerts its local anesthetic effect primarily by blocking sodium ion channels in nerve cells. Additionally, it inhibits dopamine reuptake with an efficacy comparable to that of cocaine (IC₅₀ = 1.2 µM, compared to approximately 0.7 µM for cocaine); consequently, it possesses certain central nervous system stimulant and euphoric properties.

As a local anesthetic, its potency falls between that of cocaine and procaine (the approximate order of potency is: cocaine > dimethocaine hydrochloride > tetracaine > procaine). However, due to its cocaine-like potential for abuse, it is regarded as a substance requiring special attention.

This compound is restricted to forensic identification and scientific research; it is primarily used to investigate its anesthetic properties and structure-activity relationships, as well as to serve as a cocaine substitute for exploring mechanisms related to the dopamine transporter.