RT Book, Section A1 Panus, Peter C. A1 Jobst, Erin E. A1 Masters, Susan B. A1 Katzung, Bertram A1 Tinsley, Suzanne L. A1 Trevor, Anthony J. SR Print(0) ID 6092198 T1 Chapter 16. Local Anesthetics T2 Pharmacology for the Physical Therapist YR 2009 FD 2009 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-146043-9 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6092198 RD 2024/03/28 AB Local anesthesia is the condition that results when sensory transmission from a local area of the body to the central nervous system (CNS) is blocked. The local anesthetics constitute a group of chemically similar agents that block the sodium channels of excitable membranes. Because these drugs can be administered by topical application or by injection in the target area, the anesthetic effect can be restricted to a localized area (e.g., cornea, arm, foot). Even when these drugs are given in the vicinity of the spinal cord, it is still considered a form of local anesthesia because only a specific level of cord impulse transmission is blocked. When given intravenously, however, these drugs can have effects on other tissues.