Articaine; Epinephrine injection

What is articaine-epinephrine injection?

ARTICAINE-EPINEPHRINE (Septocaine™) is a drug that is injected before and during various dental procedures. Articaine causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissues. The epinephrine is used to limit the numbing effects of articaine to the intended area. Generic articaine-epinephrine injections are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive articaine-epinephrine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

• heart or blood vessel disease

• liver disease

• myasthenia gravis

• an unusual or allergic reaction to articaine, other local anesthetics, or sulfites

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Articaine-epinephrine is injected into a specific area to make it numb before a dental procedure so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Only a specially trained health-care professional will give articaine-epinephrine in a hospital or clinic.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with articaine-epinephrine?

• medicines for depression, avoid those called MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)

• furazolidone

• guanadrel

• guanethidine

• linezolid

• medicines for high blood pressure

• medicines that improve muscle strength or tone, for conditions like myasthenia gravis

• mecamylamine

• procarbazine

• reserpine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What do I need to watch for after I receive articaine-epinephrine?

Let your prescriber or health care professional know if the feeling of numbness that articaine causes does not wear off within a few hours, or if you find it hard to open your mouth.

After an injection of articaine the area will be numb for some time and you will not be aware of pain. Try to avoid injury to the area. Do not chew gum or food until the numbness wears off. You could bite your tongue or the inside of your cheeks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving articaine-epinephrine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• anxiety, restlessness

• blurred vision

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness, drowsiness

• irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• nausea, vomiting

• seizures (convulsions)

• skin rash, itching (hives)

• swelling of the face or mouth

• tremors

If they are going to occur, these side effects may become apparent before you leave the hospital, clinic or dental office. Call your health care provider as soon as you can if you get any of the above reactions later.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• numbness or tingling of the face or mouth

• pain at the injection site

Where can I keep my medicine?

You will only receive articaine-epinephrine in a hospital or clinic setting prior to surgery or other procedures. You will not need to take this medicine at home.