Lidocaine 2% with Epinephrine 1:100,000 (1.7 mL cartridge)

Lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:100,000 is a common local anesthetic injection used in dentistry. It is sold as 1.7 mL cartridges (often red-coded) by dental suppliers like Henry Schein. Lidocaine HCl is an amide-type local anesthetic (it numbs nerve tissue).. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is included as a vasoconstrictor  – it constricts blood vessels at the injection site, slowing absorption of lidocaine. This reduces bleeding and nearly doubles the anesthetic duration, which is why low-dose epinephrine (1:100,000) is routinely added to dental lidocaine.

Composition and Dosage

• 2% Lidocaine: 2% means 2 g per 100 mL, i.e. 20 mg per mL. Thus a 1.7 mL cartridge contains about 34 mg of lidocaine (1.7 mL × 20 mg/mL).
• Epinephrine 1:100,000: This ratio means 0.01 mg of epinephrine per mL (10 μg/mL). A 1.7 mL cartridge therefore delivers about 17 μg of epinephrine (1.7 mL × 10 μg/mL).
• Summary (per cartridge): ~34 mg lidocaine + 0.017 mg epinephrine. (For comparison, 1:50,000 epi cartridges contain 20 μg/mL epi, so this 1:100,000 formulation has a lower vasoconstrictor dose.)

Mechanism of Action and Use

• Lidocaine (Local Anesthetic): Lidocaine rapidly blocks voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve fibers, preventing pain signals. It “numbs” the target tissue in dentistry by stopping nerve conduction. Onset is quick (a few minutes) with an intermediate duration. 2% lidocaine is one of the most widely used dental anesthetics.
• Epinephrine (Vasoconstrictor): Epinephrine constricts blood vessels. By adding epinephrine, absorption of lidocaine is slowed, which prolongs the anesthesia and reduces bleeding. In practice, lidocaine with 1:100,000 epi can have an anesthetic duration nearly twice that of plain lidocaine.
• Clinical Use: This formulation is commonly used for dental local anesthesia (infiltration or nerve block). A typical dose may be one or a few cartridges, depending on the procedure and patient. Onset is within minutes and numbness lasts on the order of 1–3 hours (depending on dose and site).

Packaging and Supplier

• Cartridge Format: The drug is provided in glass cartridges, 1.7 mL each. Henry Schein (HSI brand) lists these as “Lidocaine HCl 2% Epinephrine 1:100,000 1.7 mL 50/Bx”. (Dentists will recognize the red color coding for 2% lidocaine with 1:100k epi.)
• Regulatory: This is a prescription product (used by licensed practitioners) and is non-returnable. It should be used under appropriate clinical supervision.