What is tetracaine?

Tetracaine is a medication that's used to cause numbness (loss of feeling) in various parts of the body before certain medical procedures. This type of medication, called a local anesthetic, is available in topical form (cream, gel or ointment) that's applied to the skin. Tetracaine works by blocking nerve impulses in the tissue to which it's applied. Tetracaine is always applied by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic, so you will probably not have to worry about dosage information or taking this medication yourself. Tetracaine is the generic name of the active drug in several different brand-name products. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about using tetracaine.