bupivacaine
What is the most important information I should know about bupivacaine?Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine. Some epidural numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from bupivacaine. What is bupivacaine?Bupivacaine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks the nerve impulses that send pain signals to your brain. Bupivacaine is used as a local (in only one area) anesthetic. Bupivacaine is given as an epidural injection into the spinal column to produce numbness during labor, surgery, or certain medical procedures. Bupivacaine is also used as an anesthetic for dental procedures. Bupivacaine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving bupivacaine?Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine. To make sure bupivacaine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - anemia (lack of red blood cells);
- kidney or liver disease;
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- syphilis, polio, a brain or spinal cord tumor;
- numbness or tingling;
- chronic back pain, headache caused by surgery;
- low or high blood pressure;
- abnormal curvature of the spine; or
- arthritis.
It is not known whether bupivacaine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether bupivacaine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How is bupivacaine given?Bupivacaine is injected through a needle directly into or near the area to be numbed. You will receive this injection in a dental or hospital setting. For an epidural, bupivacaine is given as an injection through a needle placed into an area of your middle or lower back near your spine. For a dental procedure, bupivacaine is injected directly into the mouth near the tooth or teeth your dentist will be working on. Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, or other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving bupivacaine. Some epidural numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from bupivacaine. What happens if I miss a dose?Since bupivacaine is given as needed before a surgery or dental procedure, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. What happens if I overdose?Since bupivacaine is given in a medical setting, you will be watched closely to make sure you do not receive too much of this medicine. Your caregivers will quickly treat you if you have overdose symptoms. What should I avoid after receiving bupivacaine?This medicine can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely. After a dental procedure, avoid eating, chewing gum, or drinking a hot beverage until your mouth is no longer numb. What are the possible side effects of bupivacaine?Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, red rash, itching; sneezing, difficulty breathing; severe dizziness, vomiting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects: - feeling anxious, restless, confused, or like you might pass out;
- problems with speech or vision;
- ringing in the ears, metallic taste, numbness or tingling around your mouth, or tremors;
- seizure (convulsions);
- weak or shallow breathing;
- fast heart rate, gasping, feeling unusually hot;
- slow heart rate, weak pulse;
- urinating less than usual or not at all.
Common side effects include: - nausea, vomiting;
- chills or shivering;
- headache; or
- back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What other drugs will affect bupivacaine?Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: - an antidepressant or antipsychotic medication;
- anti-nausea medicine such as prochlorperazine (Compazine) or promethazine (Phenergan);
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
- ergot medicine --dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine; or
- an MAO inhibitor --isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with bupivacaine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Where can I get more information?Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about bupivacaine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 7/29/2016.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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