What is Bupivacaine-Epinephrine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Bupivacaine-Epinephrine

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is sometimes given through a catheter placed into your lower back for an epidural or a spinal block. You may also receive the injection into your rib cage, chest, or other body areas. This medicine may also be injected directly into your gums for dental work.

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a medical facility. It is sometimes given through a catheter placed into your lower back for an epidural or a spinal block. You may also receive the injection into your rib cage, chest, or other body areas. This medicine may also be injected directly into your gums for dental work.

What to do if you miss a dose of Bupivacaine-Epinephrine

Bupivacaine-Epinephrine contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to bupivacaine or similar medicines, or epinephrine.

Bupivacaine-Epinephrine warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, lung or breathing problems, a blood disorder, G6PD, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), other circulation problems, diabetes, asthma, thyroid problems, or a history of stroke. Tell your doctor if you have a sulfite allergy.

• This medicine may cause methemoglobinemia (blood disorder).

• You may experience temporary loss of sensation and movement, usually in the lower half of your body, if you receive this medicine into your lower back (epidural). 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.

• To avoid injury after dental work, do not chew solid foods until normal feeling has returned to the area. Do not test the feeling in your mouth by biting or poking the treated area (up to 7 hours).

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Seizures, shivering, shaking, or tremors

Bupivacaine-Epinephrine interactions

• Some medicines can affect how bupivacaine/epinephrine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Acetaminophen, chloroquine, metoclopramide, primaquine, quinine, sulfasalazineBlood pressure medicineCancer medicine (including cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, rasburicase)Ergot medicine or other medicines for headaches or migrainesMedicine to treat depression (including an MAO inhibitor, tricyclic antidepressant)Medicine to treat seizures (including phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium valproate)Nitrate or nitrite medicine (including nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide)Phenothiazine medicine (including chlorpromazine, promethazine)

• Numbness may last for several hours after using this medicine. 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.

• To avoid injury after dental work, do not chew solid foods until normal feeling has returned to the area. Do not test the feeling in your mouth by biting or poking at your tissues.