Procaine is a local anesthetic drug that is used to numb or block nerve impulses in a specific area of the body. It is also known as Novocain and is commonly administered via injection. There are a few different terms that refer to procaine, including its chemical name, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl 4-aminobenzoate. Other synonyms for procaine include benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine. These drugs all work by blocking sodium channels in the body, which prevents pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. While these drugs are all local anesthetics, they differ in their potency, duration of action, and other aspects of their pharmacology.