Bupivacaine injection

What is bupivacaine injection?

BUPIVACAINE (Marcaine®, Sensorcaine®) is a drug that is injected before and during various surgical or dental procedures or labor and delivery. Bupivacaine causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissues. Generic bupivacaine is available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive bupivacaine?

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

• blood clotting problems

• heart or blood vessel disease

• infection

• liver disease

• myasthenia gravis

• an unusual or allergic reaction to bupivacaine or other local anesthetics, parabens, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Bupivacaine is injected into a specific area to make it numb before a surgery or other procedure. Depending on the type of procedure it may be given into the area around your spine, into your gums, or into other areas so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Only a specially trained health-care professional will give bupivacaine in a hospital or clinic.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with bupivacaine?

• blood thinners such as warfarin

• certain drugs to treat depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxacid and phenelzine

• guanadrel

• guanethidine

• medicines for high blood pressure

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

• mecamylamine

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 bupivacaine?

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

After an injection of bupivacaine the area will be numb for some time and you will not be aware of pain. Try to avoid injury to the area. If the injection was given in your mouth, 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 bupivacaine?

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 bupivacaine in a hospital or clinic setting prior to surgery or other procedures. You will not need to take this medicine at home.