POSICAINE (articaine hydrochloride) is a local anaesthetic that has the reversible effect of blocking the conduction of painful sensations. POSICAINE decreases nerve conduction by diminishing the sodium ion influx during the action potential period. The epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor added to POSICAINE to slow down the passage into the general circulation and thus ensure the prolonged maintenance of an active tissue concentration. The anaesthesia is obtained rapidly (1 to 3 minutes) and lasts from 45 to 75 minutes per cartridge.