Bupivacaine

Indications

Bupivacaine is used for: Local anesthesia, Epidural, Intrathecal anesthesia, Epidural analgesia

Adult Dose

Adult: Inj Percutaneous infiltration anesth For prolonged action: 9 mg w/ adrenaline (1 in 200,000), may repeat 2-10 mins later if needed. Max: 90 mg per dental sitting. Surgical anaesthesia Peripheral nerve block 12.5 mg (as 0.25% soln) or 25 mg (as 0.5% soln) . Max: 150 mg/dose. Sympathetic nerve block As 0.25% soln: 50-125 mg. Retrobulbar block As 0.75% soln: 15-30 mg. Caudal block In surgery: 37.5-75 mg (as 0.25% soln) or 75-150 mg (as 0.5% soln). Lumbar epidural block In surgery: 25-50 mg (as 0.25% soln) and 50-100 mg (as 0.5% soln). Spinal block: 0.5% soln: 10-20 mg (2-4 mL). Acute pain Adult: Lumbar block in labour pain: 0.25% soln: 15-30 mg (6-12 mL); 0.375% soln: 22.5-45 mg (6-12 mL); 0.5% soln: 30-60 mg (6-12 mL). Alternatively, 0.1% soln: 10-15 mg (10-15 mL) per hr; 0.125% soln: 10-15 mg (8-12 mL) per hr via infusion. Caudal block in labour pain: 0.25% soln: 25-50 mg (10-20 mL); 0.375% soln: 37.5-75 mg (10-20 mL); 0.5% soln: 50-100 mg (10-20 mL).

Child Dose

<12 years: Not recommended Caudal Block, Epidural Block, Local Block >12 years Local Anesthesia: Infiltration 0.25% infiltrated locally: 175 mg maximum Caudal Block: 15-30 mL of 0.25% or 0.5% (preservative free) Epidural Block Other Than Caudal Block: 10-20 mL of 0.25% or 0.5%; administer in 3-5 mL increments allowing sufficient time to detect toxic manifestations of inadvertent IV or IT administration (preservative free); for surgical procedures requiring high degree of muscle relaxation and prolonged effects administer10-20 mL of 0.75%; not to be used in obstetrical cases Peripheral or Sympathetic Nerve Block >12 years Peripheral Nerve Block: 5 mL of 0.25-0.5%; 400 mg/day maximum Sympathetic Nerve Block: 20-50 mL of 0.25%

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity to local anaesthetics of amide type. IV regional anaesthesia; paracervical block in obstetrics; spinal anaesthesia <18 yr. Lactation. Solutions containing preservatives for caudal or epidural block.

Precautions

Hepatic disease; CV disease; children <12 yr; pregnancy. Elderly and debilitated patients. Lactation: excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: C Lactation: excretion in milk unknown/not recommended

Interactions

Additive systemic toxic effect w/ other local anaesth or agents structurally related to amide-type local anaesth (e.g. lidocaine and mexiletine). Increased risk of myocardial depression w/ antiarrhythmics. Enhanced adverse effects w/ hyaluronidase. Decreased clearance resulting to increased plasma concentrations w/ cimetidine and ranitidine. Increased risk of adverse effects w/ beta-blockers and Ca channel blockers.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Bupivacaine : CNS excitation may be followed by depression. Hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest; methaemoglobinaemia; seizures, restlessness, dizziness. Hypersensitivity. Prolonged block, Edema, Headache, Hypotension, Hypoventilation, Nausea, Nervousness, Palpitation, Respiratory arrest, Tachycardia, Tinnitus, Tremors, Vomiting Potentially Fatal: Cardiac and sudden respiratory arrest.

Mechanism of Action

Bupivacaine blocks both the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses reducing the permeability of neuronal membranes to Na ions resulting in inhibition of depolarization w/ resultant blockade of conduction.