Butamben is a
local anesthetic. It is the
ester of
4-aminobenzoic acid and
butanol. A white, odourless, crystalline powder. that is mildy soluble in water (1 part in 7000) and soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, fixed oils, and dilute acids. It slowly hydrolyses when boiled with water. Synonyms include Butamben, Butilaminobenzoato, and Butoforme. Proprietary names includes Alvogil in Spain and Alvogyl in Switzerland. It is one of three components in the topical anesthetic
Cetacaine.