Ischemia could be induced if applied to tissues nourished by end-arteriolar blood supplies such as earlobes, nostrils, the glans of the penis, or digits. Application to mucosal surfaces is contraindicated due to the potential for systemid absorption of tetracaine and cocaine from these highly vascularized areas. T.A.C. is also not recommended for pain control in burned or abraded tissue due to the concern of systemic absorption. Use in children with underlying cardiac dysrhythmias or convulsive disorders require extreme caution. T.A.C. solutions are readily made by most hospital pharmacies .
Tracking is required do to the use of cocaine in the mixture, also making it expensive to produce.
Some facilities use TAC prior to wound cleansing while others wait until the wound has been irrigated. A 3 ml vial of T.A.C. is sufficient to prepare the wound for suturing if TAC has not been used previously. T.A.C. may be applied to the wound directly in a small amount and allowed to stand for 3 minutes. The remaining solution is then applied to a 2x2 trimmed slightly larger than the size of the wound and placed directly on the wound and held in contact for 10-30 minutes. Young children may not tolerate the initial application, in which this step may be omitted.