The inhibitory potency of local anesthetics on NMDA receptor signalling depends on their structural features.

Development of postoperative hyperalgesia depends on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. Local anesthetics protect against those hyperalgesic pain states and inhibit NMDA receptor activation. To outline what structural features of local anesthetics are responsible for NMDA receptor inhibition we evaluated a series of experimental lidocaine analogs (carbanilic derivates).

Is there a place for local anesthetics structurally different from classical amid or ester local anesthetics?

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to describe the pharmacology, toxicology and chemistry of the new group of local anesthetics of phenylcarbamic acid type.

Recent Findings: Basic esters of alkoxy-substituted phenylcarbamic acid have shown high local anesthetic potency, while maintaining a relatively safe toxicity profile. Their potency uniquely increases with the decreasing pH of the external medium.