Compounded Topical Anesthetics in Orthodontics
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OVERVIEW Compounded Topical Anesthetics in Orthodontics NEAL D. KRAVITZ, DMD, MS JOHN W. GRAHAM, DDS, MD JONATHAN L. NICOZISIS, DMD, MS JAY GILL, PharmD (Editor’s Note: In this regular column, JCO pro- present, compounded topical anesthetics are in vides an overview of a clinical topic of interest to “regulation limbo”—neither regulated nor un- orthodontists. Contributions and suggestions for regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- future subjects are welcome.) tion (FDA).6 In 2007, a comprehensive review of com- pounded topical anesthetics in the Journal of the ompounded topical anesthetics are commonly American Dental Association examined clinical Cused in orthodontics as an alternative to local trials, case reports, descriptive articles, FDA regu- infiltration for soft-tissue laser surgery,1,2 place- lations, clinical implications, and legitimate risks ment of temporary anchorage devices,3,4 and trans- associated with their uncontrolled application.7 mucosal alveolar micro-osteoperforation.5 Ques- This article will serve as a follow-up for orthodon- tions remain, however, regarding the consistency tists, providing current information on the creation of their formulation and the safety of their use. At and packaging of compounded topical anesthetics. Dr. Kravitz Dr. Graham Dr. Nicozisis Dr. Gill Dr. Kravitz is a Contributing Editor of the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics; an adjunct faculty member, Department of Orthodontics, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC; and in the private practice of orthodontics at 25055 Riding Plaza, Suite 110, South Riding, VA 20152; e-mail: [email protected]. Dr. Graham is a Contributing Editor of the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics; an Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, and the Department of Orthodontics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY; and in the private practice of orthodontics in Salt Lake City. Dr. Nicozisis is in the private practice of orthodontics in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Gill is a compounding pharmacist and owner, The Compounding Center, Leesburg, VA. VOLUME XLIX NUMBER 6 © 2015 JCO, Inc. 307 OVERVIEW TABLE 1 POPULAR COMPOUNDED TOPICAL ANESTHETICS Brand Name* Active Ingredients TAC 20% Alternate 20% lidocaine, 4% tetracaine, 2% phenylephrine Profound 10% lidocaine, 10% prilocaine, 4% tetracaine Profound PET/DēpBlu 10% lidocaine, 10% prilocaine, 4% tetracaine, 2% phenylephrine Baddest Topical in Town 3% lidocaine, 12.5% prilocaine, 12.5% tetracaine, 3% phenylephrine Best Topical Ever 12.5% lidocaine, 3% prilocaine, 12.5% tetracaine, 3% phenylephrine *Any compounding pharmacy can create any formulation with a prescription. Compounded Preparations The confusion between compounded phar- maceuticals and manufactured drugs is likely due Simply put, a compounded preparation is a to two factors: the emergence of large, multicenter custom-made pharmaceutical. Compounding is the compounding pharmacies that produce hundreds process by which the pharmacist or doctor com- of custom-made medical, dental, and veterinary bines, mixes, or alters pharmaceutical ingredients medications, and the brand names assigned to in accordance with a prescription.8 Compounds are compounded pharmaceuticals. in common usage as intravenous or parenteral Section 503A states that a pharmacy cannot medications, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, compound an “inordinate” amount of a preparation soaps, troches, rinses, and topicals. At the most before receiving a prescription.6 “Inordinate” is not basic level, when you dilute the Listerine bottle at defined, but state inspectors generally look to your brushing station with tap water, you are prac- match historical use patterns with the amount of ticing a form of compounding. premade preparations on the pharmacy’s shelf. For Compounding is not the same as drug manu- example, if a pharmacy can show that it typically facturing. A compounded preparation is created receives six orders a month for a specific pharma- for the unique needs of an individual patient. Al- ceutical, it would be allowed to premake the com- though the separate components of a compounded pound in anticipation of those orders. If an inspec- preparation are commonly manufactured under tor saw a 30-gallon drum of the premade FDA approval, it is their alteration and combina- preparation, however, it would be a violation of the tion that make the end product unregulated. Under pharmacy’s 503A status. Where “inordinate” prep- section 503A of the Food and Drug Administration aration actually becomes an end run around drug- Modernization Act of 1997, any drug products that manufacturing regulations is a gray area of phar- are compounded on a customized basis are exempt macy law. from the FDA’s approval requirements.9 In addition, a compounded pharmaceutical On the other hand, drug manufacturing is is sometimes given an attractive brand name that defined as the production, preparation, propaga- can diminish the product’s individualization and tion, processing, and packaging of a pharmaceuti- perceived risks. The brand name becomes a form cal for general use.10 Manufactured drugs are of marketing, inappropriately tying the compound- regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos- ed formulation to a particular pharmacy. Popular metic Act. For example, benzocaine gel is a pop- brand names of intraoral mucosal compound top- ular FDA-approved topical anesthetic sold over ical anesthetics include TAC Alternate, Profound, the counter under brand names such as Anbesol, DēpBlu, Baddest Topical in Town, and Best Topi- HurriCaine, Orajel, and Orabase. cal Ever. 308 JCO/JUNE 2015 Kravitz, Graham, Nicozisis, and Gill Popular Compounded Anesthetics caine, and 3% lidocaine) and a vasoactive agent in Orthodontics (3% phenylephrine). BTT was introduced by Dr. Nicozisis for use with Propel transmucosal alveo- Regardless of brand name, mucosal com- lar micro-osteoperforation.5 The high concentra- pound topical anesthetics are relatively similar. tion of tetracaine provides strong, penetrating an- Each contains a combination of high-dose anes- esthesia. Another popular topical compound, the thetics, including both ester-type (tetracaine) and Best Topical Ever, uses similar active ingredients, amide-type (lidocaine and prilocaine), to provide but reverses the concentration of lidocaine and profound numbness, as well as other inactive in- prilocaine (12.5% lidocaine, 12.5% tetracaine, and gredients for structure and taste. Some formula- 3% prilocaine). tions also contain vasoconstrictors such as phen- It should be noted that dermal compounded ylephrine—though it is debatable what this agent topical anesthetics made for extraoral use should truly contributes. Orthodontists should be familiar not be applied intraorally. Although the active in- with a few of the most popular mucosal com- gredients may be similar to those of a mucosal pounded topical anesthetics (Table 1): compounded topical anesthetic used inside the TAC 20% Alternate, or TAC Alternate, contains mouth, the carrier ingredient is different. two anesthetic agents (20% lidocaine and 4% tetra caine) and one vasoactive agent (2% phenyl- ephrine). The original TAC, composed of tetra- What to Look for in caine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and cocaine, was a Compounding Pharmacy once commonly used in hospital emergency de- Any compounding pharmacy can create the partments as a dermal topical anesthetic to provide formulations listed above at the request of a li- pain relief and vasoconstriction prior to suturing. censed prescriber. When choosing a compounding TAC Alternate is somewhat of a misnomer, since pharmacy, it is important to ensure that it meets the formulation does not contain cocaine. Its active the following criteria: ingredients are identical to those of LET (lido- caine, epinephrine, and tetracaine), another popu- • Is licensed and in good standing with its state lar dermal compounded topical anesthetic.7 pharmacy board. Profound is a topical anesthetic gel compounded • Is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding from three anesthetic agents (10% lidocaine, 10% Accreditation Board. prilocaine, and 4% tetracaine). Its equal concentra- • Purchases ingredients from FDA-registered tion of lidocaine and prilocaine is similar to that suppliers. of two FDA-approved topical anesthetics: EMLA • Documents the Certificate of Analysis on its cream (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine), ingredients. which provides dermal anesthesia prior to veni- • Strictly follows U.S. Phamacopeia (USP)- puncture, and Oraqix (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% National Formulary guidelines. prilocaine), which is inserted into the gingival Orthodontists should familiarize themselves sulcus before root planing. Dr. Graham has intro- with chapters 795 and 797 of the USP Compound- duced Profound PET (for “phenylephrine thick”),11 ing Compendium8 (www.usp.org). Chapter 795 or Profpet, which adds a vasoactive agent (2% provides guidance on the preparation of nonsterile phenylephrine) and methylcellulose for greater compounded formulations, including definitions viscosity. DēpBlu, another popular compounded of terms and criteria for compounding each drug. anesthetic, was developed by Dr. Jason Cope and Chapter 797 lists procedures and requirements for has the same active ingredients as those of Pro- compounding sterile preparations. It also describes found PET. how to prevent harm to patients from contamina- Baddest Topical in Town (BTT), is composed of