Marcain 0.5%, Marcain Spinal 0.5% Heavy

Generic Name: Bupivacaine hydrochloride
Product Name: Marcain 0.5%, Marcain Spinal 0.5% Heavy

Indication

Bupivacaine hydrochloride is used as an anaesthetic agent, particularly when long-term anaesthesia is required eg. during surgery and during child birth.

It is often used in epidural anaesthesia.

It is also used for postoperative pain management and for pain management in some other medical settings.

Action

Bupivacaine is a neuronal membrane stabiliser. It prevents initiation and transmission of nerve impulses. It has a rapid onset and long duration of action.

Dose advice

Dose is dependant on which body part is to be anaesthetised. It is influenced by factors such as blood flow to the area, the number of nerve segments to be blocked, the patientâ??s tolerance to the medication and the injection technique.

The doctor administering the injection will always aim to use the lowest dose that achieves the desired effect.

Doses should never exceed 2mg/kg of the patientâ??s body mass.

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

The more common side effects of Bupivacaine anaesthesia include:
– Nausea and vomiting
– Tinnitus
– Numbness
– Anxiety or nervousness and tremor
– Blurred vision
– Dizziness
– Disorientation

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon and rare side effects include:
– Overdosage may result in unconsciousness, convulsions, low blood pressure, low heart rate and cardiac arrest.
– Neurological side effects of local anaesthetics generally may include altered sensation, prolonged or persistent effects, weakness and paralysis of limbs or sphincters. These effects are rare.
– Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis are also rare.

High doses, rapid absorption, poor drug metabolism, inadvertent injection into the bloodstream, acidosis, high potassium levels or low oxygen in the blood increase the risk of more severe side effects involving the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) system, the respiratory (airways and lungs) system and the nervous system.

 

For further information talk to your doctor.