Chirocaine (levobupivacaine injection) contains a single enantiomer of bupivacaine hydrochloride which is chemically described as (S)-1-butyl-2-piperidylformo-2', 6'-xylidide hydrochloride and it is related chemically and pharmacologically to the amino amide class of local anesthetics.

Levobupivacaine hydrochloride, the S-enantiomer of bupivacaine, is a white crystalline powder with a molecular formula of C ₁₈ H ₂₈ N ₂ O · HCl, a molecular weight of 324.9.

The solubility of levobupivacaine hydrochloride in water is about 100 mg per mL at 20°C, the partition coefficient (oleyl alcohol/water) is 1624 and the pKa is 8.09. The pKa of levobupivacaine hydrochloride is the same as that of bupivacaine hydrochloride and the partition coefficient is very similar to that of bupivacaine hydrochloride (1565).

Chirocaine is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, colorless solution (pH 4.0-6.5) containing levobupivacaine hydrochloride equivalent to 2.5 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, and 7.5 mg/mL of levobupivacaine, sodium chloride for isotonicity, and Water for Injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have been added to adjust pH. Chirocaine is preservative free and is available in 10 mL and 30 mL single dose vials.

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