Articaine is a dental local anesthetic, which is the most widely used in a number of European countries and is available in many countries around the world. Articaine in combination with epinephrine under the brand name Septocaine is indicated for local, infiltrative, or conductive anesthesia in both simple and complex dental procedures. Local anesthetics block the generation and conduction of nerve impulses, presumably by increasing the threshold for electrical excitation in the nerve, by slowing the propagation of the nerve impulse, and by reducing the rate of rising of the action potential. In general, the progression of anesthesia is related to the diameter, myelination, and conduction velocity of the affected nerve fibers. Articaine blocks the actions on Na+ channels. Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor added to articaine HCl to slow absorption into the general circulation and thus prolong maintenance of an active tissue concentration.

Ropivacaine is a member of the amino amide class of local anesthetics and is supplied as the pure S-(-)-enantiomer. It produces effects similar to other local anesthetics via reversible inhibition of sodium ion influx in nerve fibers. Ropivacaine is less lipophilic than bupivacaine and is less likely to penetrate large myelinated motor fibers, resulting in a relatively reduced motor blockade. Thus, ropivacaine has a greater degree of motor-sensory differentiation, which could be useful when the motor blockade is undesirable. The reduced lipophilicity is also associated with decreased potential for central nervous system toxicity and cardiotoxicity. Ropivacaine is indicated for the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and for acute pain management.

Sevoflurane is a general anesthetic that is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult and pediatric patients for inpatient and outpatient surgery. Sevoflurane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Sevoflurane also activates calcium dependent ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid membrane. It also appears to bind the D subunit of ATP synthase and NADH dehydogenase and also binds to the GABA receptor. Common adverse reactions include cardiovascular: bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, neurologic: somnolence, psychiatric: agitation, respiratory: cough, interrupted breathing and other: shivering.

Desflurane is a non-flammable liquid administered via vaporizer as a general anesthetic. It is halogenated exclusively with fluorine and is very resistant to defluorination. For this reason, it is not associated with nephrotoxicity, as is the case with other inhalational anesthetics. Desflurane is indicated for the induction and/or maintenance of anesthesia and adults, and for maintenance of anesthesia in pediatric patients following the induction with other agents.

Etomidate (AMIDATE®) is an imidazole derivative anesthetic and hypnotic with little effect on blood gases, ventilation, or the cardiovascular system. It is intended for the induction of general anesthesia by intravenous injection. Etomidate (AMIDATE®) is also indicated for the supplementation of subpotent anesthetic agents, such as nitrous oxide in oxygen, during maintenance of anesthesia for short operative procedures such as dilation and curettage or cervical conization. It also produces a unique toxicity among anesthetic drugs - inhibition of adrenal steroid synthesis that far outlasts its hypnotic action and that may reduce survival of critically ill patients. The major molecular targets mediating anesthetic effects of etomidate (AMIDATE®) in the central nervous system are specific gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor subtypes. The R(+) isomer of etomidate is 10 times more potent than its S(-) isomer at potentiating GABA-A receptor activity.

Isoflurane (1-chloro-2, 2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether) a nonflammable liquid administered by vaporizing, is a general inhalation anesthetic drug. Isoflurane is a clear, colorless, stable liquid containing no additives or chemical stabilizers. Similar to many general anesthetics, the exact mechanism of the action has not been clearly delineated. Isoflurane reduces pain sensitivity (analgesia) and relaxes muscles. Isoflurane likely potentiates GABA-A and glycine receptor activity, which decreases motor function, inhibits receptor activity in the NMDA glutamate receptor subtypes and binds to glutamate receptors. Isoflurane is always administered in conjunction with air and/or pure oxygen. Often nitrous oxide is also used. Although its physical properties imply that anesthesia can be induced more rapidly than with halothane, its pungency can irritate the respiratory system, negating this theoretical advantage conferred by its physical properties. It is usually used to maintain a state of general anesthesia that has been induced with another drug, such as thiopentone or propofol.

Bupivacaine is a widely used local anesthetic agent. Bupivacaine is often administered by spinal injection prior to total hip arthroplasty. It is also commonly injected into surgical wound sites to reduce pain for up to 20 hours after surgery. In comparison to other local anesthetics it has a long duration of action. It is also the most toxic to the heart when administered in large doses. Bupivacaine blocks the generation and the conduction of nerve impulses, presumably by increasing the threshold for electrical excitation in the nerve, by slowing the propagation of the nerve impulse, and by reducing the rate of rise of the action potential. Bupivacaine binds to the intracellular portion of sodium channels and blocks sodium influx into nerve cells, which prevents depolarization. In general, the progression of anesthesia is related to the diameter, myelination and conduction velocity of affected nerve fibers. The analgesic effects of bupivicaine are thought to potentially be due to its binding to the prostaglandin E2 receptors, subtype EP1 (PGE2EP1), which inhibits the production of prostaglandins, thereby reducing fever, inflammation, and hyperalgesia. Bupivacaine sometimes used in combination with epinephrine to prevent systemic absorption and extend the duration of action.

Ketamine (brand name Ketalar) is a cyclohexanone derivative used for induction of anesthesia. Ketalar is indicated as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation; also, it is indicated for the induction of anesthesia prior to the administration of other general anesthetic agents. Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors through an interaction with sites thought to be located within the ion channel pore region. However, the complete pharmacology of ketamine is more complex, and it is known to directly interact with a variety of other sites to varying degrees. Recently, it was shown that inclusion of the NR3B subunit does not alter the ketamine sensitivity of recombinant NR1/NR2 receptors expressed in oocytes. Likewise, 100 μM ketamine produced only weak inhibition of the glycine-induced current of NR1/NR3A/NR3B receptors. The side effects of ketamine noted in clinical studies include psychedelic symptoms (hallucinations, memory defects, panic attacks), nausea/vomiting, somnolence, cardiovascular stimulation and, in a minority of patients, hepatoxicity. The recreational use of ketamine is increasing and comes with a variety of additional risks ranging from bladder and renal complications to persistent psychotypical behaviour and memory defects. Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 by Calvin Stevens at Parke-Davis Co (now Pfizer) as an alternative anesthetic to phencyclidine. It was first used in humans in 1965 by Corssen and Domino and was introduced into clinical practice by 1970.

Esketamine is an S(+)-enantiomer of ketamine. It is a nonselective, noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. A nasal spray, containing esketamine, was approved in 2019 for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression in adults, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, and is marketed under tradename SPARAVATO. Esketamine is a schedule III drug product in the USA.

Prilocaine is a local anesthetic that is similar pharmacologically to lidocaine. Prilocaine binds to the intracellular surface of sodium channels which blocks the subsequent influx of sodium into the cell. Action potential propagation and never function is, therefore, prevented. This block is reversible and when the drug diffuses away from the cell, sodium channel function is restored and nerve propagation returns. Prilocaine acts on sodium channels on the neuronal cell membrane, limiting the spread of seizure activity and reducing seizure propagation. The antiarrhythmic actions are mediated through effects on sodium channels in Purkinje fibers. Currently, Prilocaine is used most often for infiltration anesthesia in dentistry.