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Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
LOCAL ANESTHETICS SHOULD ONLY BE EMPLOYED BY CLINICIANS WHO ARE WELL VERSED IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF DOSE-RELATED TOXICITY AND OTHER ACUTE EMERGENCIES WHICH MIGHT ARISE FROM THE BLOCK TO BE EMPLOYED, AND THEN ONLY AFTER INSURING THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF OXYGEN, OTHER RESUSCITATIVE DRUGS, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATIVE EQUIPMENT, AND THE PERSONNEL RESOURCES NEEDED FOR PROPER MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC REACTIONS AND RELATED EMERGENCIES. (See also ADVERSE REACTIONS, PRECAUTIONS and OVERDOSAGE.) DELAY IN PROPER MANAGEMENT OF DOSE-RELATED TOXICITY, UNDERVENTILATION FROM ANY CAUSE AND/OR ALTERED SENSITIVITY MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACIDOSIS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND, POSSIBLY, DEATH.
Intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures is an unapproved use, and there have been post-marketing reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving such infusions. The majority of reported cases of chondrolysis have involved the shoulder joint; cases of gleno-humeral chondrolysis have been described in pediatric and adult patients following intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics with and without epinephrine for periods of 48 to 72 hours. There is insufficient information to determine whether shorter infusion periods are not associated with these findings. The time of onset of symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion can be variable, but may begin as early as the 2nd month after surgery. Currently, there is no effective treatment for chondrolysis; patients who experienced chondrolysis have required additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and some required arthroplasty or shoulder replacement.
Spinal anesthetics should not be injected during uterine contractions, because spinal fluid current may carry the drug further cephalad than desired.
A free flow of cerebrospinal fluid during the performance of spinal anesthesia is indicative of entry into the subarachnoid space. However, aspiration should be performed before the anesthetic solution is injected to confirm entry into the subarachnoid space and to avoid intravascular injection.
Bupivacaine solutions containing epinephrine or other vasopressors should not be used concomitantly with ergot-type oxytocic drugs, because a severe persistent hypertension may occur. Likewise, solutions of bupivacaine containing a vasoconstrictor, such as epinephrine, should be used with extreme caution in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or antidepressants of the triptyline or imipramine types, because severe prolonged hypertension may result.
Until further experience is gained in patients younger than 18 years, administration of bupivacaine in this age group is not recommended.
Mixing or the prior or intercurrent use of any other local anesthetic with bupivacaine cannot be recommended because of insufficient data on the clinical use of such mixtures.
Legal Issues
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FDA Safety Alerts
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Manufacturer Warnings
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FDA Labeling Changes
There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.
Uses
Bupivacaine Spinal is indicated for the production of subarachnoid block (spinal anesthesia).
Standard textbooks should be consulted to determine the accepted procedures and techniques for the administration of spinal anesthesia.
History
There is currently no drug history available for this drug.
Other Information
Bupivacaine hydrochloride is 1-Butyl-2’ 6’-pipecoloxylidide monochloride, monohydrate, a white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in 95 percent ethanol, soluble in water, and slightly soluble in chloroform or acetone. It has the following structural formula:
Dextrose is D-glucopyranose monohydrate and has the following structural formula:
Bupivacaine Spinal (Bupivacaine in Dextrose Injection, USP) is available in sterile, hyperbaric solution for subarachnoid injection (spinal block).
Bupivacaine hydrochloride is related chemically and pharmacologically to the aminoacyl local anesthetics. It is a homologue of mepivacaine and is chemically related to lidocaine. All three of these anesthetics contain an amide linkage between the aromatic nucleus and the amino or piperidine group. They differ in this respect from the procaine-type local anesthetics, which have an ester linkage.
Each 1 mL of Bupivacaine Spinal contains 7.5 mg bupivacaine hydrochloride, anhydrous and 82.5 mg dextrose, anhydrous. The pH of this solution is adjusted to 5.5 (4.0 to 6.5) with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid.
The specific gravity of Bupivacaine Spinal is between 1.030 and 1.035 at 25°C and 1.03 at 37°C.
Bupivacaine Spinal does not contain any preservatives.
Solutions of bupivacaine hydrochloride may be autoclaved if they do not contain epinephrine.
Sources
Bupivacaine Manufacturers
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Hospira, Inc.
Bupivacaine | Hospira, Inc.
The dose of any local anesthetic administered varies with the anesthetic procedure, the area to be anesthetized, the vascularity of the tissues, the number of neuronal segments to be blocked, the depth of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation required, the duration of anesthesia desired, individual tolerance, and the physical condition of the patient. The smallest dose and concentration required to produce the desired result should be administered. Dosages of Bupivacaine Spinal (Bupivacaine in Dextrose Injection, USP) should be reduced for elderly and debilitated patients and patients with cardiac and/or liver disease.
For specific techniques and procedures, refer to standard textbooks.
There have been adverse event reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures. Bupivacaine Spinal is not approved for this use (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
The extent and degree of spinal anesthesia depends upon several factors including dosage, specific gravity of the anesthetic solution, volume of solution used, force of injection, level of puncture, and position of the patient during and immediately after injection.
Seven and one-half mg (7.5 mg or 1.0 mL) Bupivacaine Spinal has generally proven satisfactory for spinal anesthesia for lower extremity and perineal procedures including TURP and vaginal hysterectomy. Twelve mg (12 mg or 1.6 mL) has been used for lower abdominal procedures such as abdominal hysterectomy, tubal ligation, and appendectomy. These doses are recommended as a guide for use in the average adult and may be reduced for elderly or debilitated patients. Because experience with Bupivacaine Spinal is limited in patients below the age of 18 years, dosage recommendations in this age group cannot be made.
Obstetrical Use: Doses as low as 6 mg bupivacaine hydrochloride have been used for vaginal delivery under spinal anesthesia. The dose range of 7.5 mg to 10.5 mg (1 mL to 1.4 mL) bupivacaine hydrochloride has been used for Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.
In recommended doses, Bupivacaine Spinal produces complete motor and sensory block.
Unused portions of solutions should be discarded following initial use.
Bupivacaine Spinal should be inspected visually for discoloration and particulate matter prior to administration; solutions which are discolored or which contain particulate matter should not be administered.
Bupivacaine Spinal may be autoclaved once at 15 pounds pressure, 121°C (250°F) for 15 minutes. Do not administer any solution which is discolored or contains particulate matter.
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