Tetracaine
Indications
Tetracaine is used for:
Spinal Anesthesia
Adult Dose
Spinal Anesthesia
High, median, low & saddle: 0.2%-0.3% solution
For perineum: 5 mg/dose
For lower extremities: 10 mg/dose
For saddle block: 2-5 mg/dose
Prolonged (2-3 hours): 1% solution
For spinal: 1% solution diluted 1:1 in CSF, administered at 1 mL per 5 seconds
Doses of >15 mg are rarely required, and should only be used in exceptional cases
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity to aminobenzoic acid, sulfites, parabens, or any components of preparation
Spinal anesthesia
Precautions
Use preservative-free preparations for spinal or epidural anesthesia
Some formulations may contain sulfites
Use caution in decreased levels of plasma esterases, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease (heart block, rhythm disturbances, shock)
Use caution in the elderly, debilitated patients, obstetrics, or patients with intraabdominal pressure
DO NOT use solutions with epinephrine in distal areas of body (eg, digit, nose, ear, etc)
Addition of vasoconstrictor, epinephrine, will promote local hemostasis, decrease systemic absorption, and increase duration of action
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: Not known if excreted in breast milk; use caution
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Tetracaine :
Frequency Not Defined
Anxiety
Restlessness
Nervousness
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Conjunctival redness
Lacrimation
Photophobia
Tremors
Twitching
Drowsiness
Unconsciousness
Respiratory arrest
Nausea/vomiting
Chills
Tinnitus
Myocardial depression
Hypotension
Cardiac arrest
Tremors
Anaphylactoid reactions (sometimes fatal)
Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics prevent generation/conduction of nerve impulses by reducing sodium permeability & increasing action potential threshold