Ropivacaine injection

What is ropivacaine injection (Naropin®)?

ROPIVACAINE (Naropin®) is a drug that is injected before and during various surgical procedures or during labor and delivery. Ropivacaine is an anesthethic, and causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissues. Generic ropivacaine injection is not available.

What should my health care professional know before I take ropivacaine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart or blood vessel disease

• liver disease

• myasthenia gravis

• any unusual of allergic reaction to ropivacaine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

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

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with ropivacaine?

• cimetidine

• fluvoxamine

• imipramine

• theophylline

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 should I watch for while taking ropivacaine?

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

After an injection of ropivacaine the area will be numb for some time and you will not be aware of pain. Try to avoid injury to the area.

What side effects may I notice from taking ropivacaine?

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)

• metallic taste

• nausea, vomiting

• ringing of the ears

• seizures (convulsions)

• skin rash, itching (hives)

• swelling of the face or mouth

• tremors

• twitching

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):

• light-headedness

• numbness or tingling of the face or mouth

• pain at the injection site

Where can I keep my medicine?

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