Tetracaine (also known as amethocaine) is a local anesthetic of the ester anesthetic group. It is mainly used topically in ophthalmology and as an antipruritic, and it has been used in spinal anesthesia.
In biomedical research, tetracaine is used to alter the function of calcium release channels (ryanodine receptors) that control the release of calcium from intracellular stores. Tetracaine is an allosteric blocker of channel function. At low concentrations, tetracaine causes an initial inhibition of spontaneous calcium release events, while at high concentrations, tetracaine blocks release completely.
Tetracaine is the T in TAC, a mixture of 5 to 12 per cent tetracaine, 0.05 per cent adrenaline, and 4 or 10 per cent cocaine hydrochloride used in ear, nose & throat surgery and in the emergency department where numbing of the surface is needed rapidly, especially when children have been injured in the eye, ear, or other sensitive locations.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.
A systematic review investigated tetracaine for use in emergency departments, especially for IV cannulation in children, in view of its analgesic and cost-saving properties. However, it did not find an improvement in first attempt cannulations.

Chemical Name	tetracaine
Synonyms	Amethocaine;Tetracaina;Tetrakain;Anetain;2-(dimethylamino)ethyl 4-(butylamino)benzoate;Pontocaine;Uromucaesthin;Dicaine;Contralgin;Tetracainum;dicaine base;Collapse
CAS No.	94-24-6
Molecular Formula	C15H24N2O2
Molecular Weight	264.36300
PSA	41.57000
LogP	2.69000

Appearance & Physical State	White crystalline powder
Density	1.044 g/cm3
Boiling Point	389.4ºC at 760 mmHg
Flash Point	189.3ºC
Refractive Index	1.537
Storage Condition	2-8ºC

RTECS	DG4725000
Safety Statements	S22-S36/37
HS Code	2922499990
RIDADR	UN 2811
Risk Statements	R22; R40; R42/43
Hazard Codes	Xn