Amino esters are a class of local anesthetics. They are named for their ester bond and are unlike amide local anaesthetics.
Structurally, amino esters consist of three molecular components:
The chemical linkage between the lipophilic part and the intermediate chain can be of the amide-type or the ester-type, and is the general basis for the current classification of local anesthetics.
Amino esters, in reference to anesthetic agents, are rapidly metabolized in the plasma by butyrylcholinesterase to para-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, then excreted in the urine. This suggests their very short half lives. Allergy is more likely to occur with ester-type agents, as opposed to amide-type.
Amino ester-type include: