Which drug is commonly administered to anesthetize the pharynx?

The drug commonly administered to anesthetize the pharynx is Xylocaine, which is a brand name for lidocaine. Xylocaine is a local anesthetic that works by blocking nerve signals in a specific area, providing localized anesthesia. It is frequently used in medical procedures involving the throat, mouth, and respiratory passages, particularly to prepare patients for intubation or other interventions that may cause discomfort.

While lidocaine is the generic name and is often used interchangeably with Xylocaine, the fact that Xylocaine is specifically recognized for pharyngeal anesthesia underscores its common usage in clinical settings for this purpose.

Other options like Novocain and Procaine are less favored for such applications, as they are primarily used in dentals and are not typically preferred for pharyngeal procedures. Thus, Xylocaine is the correct choice when considering the most widely used and effective anesthetic for the pharynx.