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bupivacaine

Pronunciation: bue PIV a kane
Brand: Marcaine HCl, Marcaine Spinal, Sensorcaine, Sensorcaine-MPF

What is the most important information I should know about bupivacaine?

donot You should not receive bupivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, syphilis, polio, a brain or spinal cord tumor, chronic back pain, a headache, low or high blood pressure, a curved spine, or arthritis.

This medication can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely.

Spinal 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 for a spinal block.

Bupivacaine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving bupivacaine?

donot You should not receive bupivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

Before receiving bupivacaine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • liver disease;
  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
  • syphilis, polio, or a brain or spinal cord tumor;
  • chronic back pain or a headache;
  • low or high blood pressure;
  • curvature of the spine; or
  • arthritis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive bupivacaine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

nopreg FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive bupivacaine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
nobrfeed Bupivacaine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Before you receive bupivacaine, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is bupivacaine given?

Bupivacaine is given as an injection placed into an area of your lower back near your spine. You will receive this injection in a hospital or surgical setting.

Spinal 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 other medical procedure, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

emt Tell your caregivers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, fainting, seizure (convulsions), shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.

What should I avoid after receiving bupivacaine?

This medication can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely.

What are the possible side effects of bupivacaine?

emt Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
emt Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • weak or shallow breathing;
  • fast heart rate, gasping, feeling unusually hot;
  • slow heart rate, weak pulse;
  • feeling restless or anxious, ringing in the ears, metallic taste, speech problems, numbness or tingling around your mouth, tremors, feeling light-headed, or fainting; or
  • problems with urination.

Less serious side effects include:

  • nausea, vomiting;
  • headache, back pain;
  • dizziness;
  • or problems with sexual function.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect bupivacaine?

Before receiving bupivacaine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
  • ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methylergonovine (Methergine);
  • an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or
  • antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive bupivacaine, or you may need dose adjustments or extra monitoring during anesthesia.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with bupivacaine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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.

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