Editing Local anesthetic (section)

==== Methemoglobinemia ====

[[Methemoglobinemia]] is a process where iron in hemoglobin is altered, reducing its oxygen-carrying capability, which produces [[cyanosis]] and symptoms of [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]]. Exposure to aniline group chemicals such as  [[benzocaine]], [[lidocaine]], and [[prilocaine]] can produce this effect, especially benzocaine.<ref name="Dolan, R. 2004"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The systemic toxicity of prilocaine is comparatively low, but its metabolite, o-toluidine, is known to cause [[methemoglobinemia]].