Bupivacaine/sodium chloride premix (Injection)

Introduction:

Bupivacaine (bue-PIV-a-kane), Sodium Chloride (SOE-dee-um KLOR-ide)

Causes numbness or loss of feeling in an area of your body. Given before and during surgery or other procedures, childbirth, or dental work.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• You will receive this medicine in a hospital or surgery center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Tell your doctor if you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) medicine such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using ergot medicine or other medicines for headaches or migraines, such as Cafergot® or Ergomar®. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat depression such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure medicines are atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, and Zestril®. Tell your doctor if you are using a phenothiazine such as Compazine®, Phenergan®, Serentil®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are not receiving this medicine for childbirth, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have asthma, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or seizures (epilepsy). Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems such as congestive heart failure or heart rhythm disorders.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• It may be easier to hurt yourself while your treated body area is still numb. Be careful to avoid injury until you have regained all the feeling and are no longer numb.
• If you are receiving this medicine as an epidural to ease labor pains, it may take longer than normal for you to push your baby out. It is also possible that the baby may have unwanted effects after birth (sleepiness, slow responses). Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how this medicine might affect your baby.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion (trouble thinking), seizures (convulsions), or fainting.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Skin rash.
• Sudden or severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Tremors, shaking, or chills.
• Uneven, pounding, fast, or slow heartbeats.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Metallic taste in your mouth.
• Pain, redness, or swelling where the needle was placed.
• Restlessness, anxiety.
• Ringing in your ears.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: