Anesthetic lozenges are prepared by combining an acid addition salt of 3-piperidino ρ- alkoxypropionphenones with a molten hard candy base with either the prior or simultaneous addition of a stabilizing amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as citric acid.
Disclosed are oral anesthetic pharmaceutical compositions comprising: (a) from about 0.02% to about 25% of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid salt of a β-aminopropiophenone, such as dyclonine HCl; (b) from about 0.02% to about 20% of saccharin; and (c) from about 1% to about 99% of a pharmaceutically acceptable oral carrier. Also provided are methods for providing an anesthetic effect in humans or animals which comprises orally administering to said human or animal a safe and effective amount of these pharmaceutical compositions. Also provided is a novel process for the manufacture of anesthetic lozenges containing a β-aminopropiophenone along with saccharin.