Local Anaesthetic Metabolism

[nymbler_064]

I am having a little difficulty understanding this concept, and was hoping someone might be able to help me. If this is not the cost appropriate section for this question, I apologise in advance!

What I was wondering is, what happens to a local anaesthetic molecule after it dissociates from the sodium channel? Does it enter circulation and undergo biotransformation, or can it be transported to another site and exert further action? Also, what causes this dissociation in the first place?

Many thanks.

 

[jbsteele]

Once a local anaesthetic molecule dissociates from the sodium channel, it is typically metabolized by the body. It can be transported to various organs and tissues to exert its action or it can be excreted in urine or bile. The dissociation occurs when the molecule binds to the receptor site on the sodium channel and causes a conformational change in the channel which results in the blocking of nerve impulses. This is known as the "receptor site block".