Procaine (Injection)

Introduction:

Procaine

Used before and during surgery, childbirth, or other procedures to cause numbness or loss of feeling in an area of your body. This medicine is a type of anesthesia.

Brand Name(s):

Novocain

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into your lower back along your spine.
• 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.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are receiving other anesthetic medicines, if you are using monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®), medicine to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, imipramine, Elavil®, Pamelor®, Sinequan®), medicine to treat mental illness (such as haloperidol, prochlorperazine, Haldol®, Compazine®, Mellaril®), heart medicines (such as dobutamine), or certain ergot medicines (such as ergonovine).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease (such as heart rhythm problems or heartblock), or blood pressure problem.
• This medicine contains acetone sodium bisulfite. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to sulfites in the past or if you have a history of asthma.
• Tell your doctor if you start having restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, numbness, tingling of the mouth and lips, blurred vision, problem with speech, metallic taste, ringing in the ears, tremors, twitching, or depression. These may be signs that you are already having too much of this medicine in your body.
• 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.
• This medicine may be used in combination with other anesthetics. Make sure your doctor knows if you or a family member have ever had a reaction, such as malignant hyperthermia (a dangerous rise in body temperature) to an anesthetic.

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.
• Blurred vision or changes in vision.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Fever.
• Headache, stiff neck, back pain.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Seizures, tremors, or muscle twitching.
• Severe nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, drowsiness, or dizziness.
• Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat.
• Trouble breathing.

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

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Sneezing or sweating.

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