Which of the following is a common amide local anesthetic?

Mepivacaine is a common amide local anesthetic, and it is widely used in dental procedures and other medical applications due to its effective pain-relieving properties. Amide local anesthetics, including mepivacaine, are characterized by their chemical structure that includes an amide group, which contributes to their stability and longer duration of action compared to ester-type anesthetics. Mepivacaine is particularly valued for its rapid onset and effective duration, making it a popular choice for various medical and dental procedures.

In contrast to mepivacaine, the other options listed are classified as ester local anesthetics. Benzocaine and tetracaine are often used topically, while procaine is primarily used for nerve blocks and has a shorter duration of action. Thus, the distinctions in chemical structure and resultant pharmacological properties help clarify why mepivacaine is appropriately categorized as a common amide local anesthetic.