Brand Names: Marcaine HCl, Marcaine Spinal, Sensorcaine, Sensorcaine-MPF

Generic Name: bupivacaine (Pronunciation: bue PIV a kane)

• What is bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• What are the possible side effects of bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• How is bupivacaine given (Sensorcaine)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Sensorcaine)?
• What happens if I overdose (Sensorcaine)?
• What should I avoid after receiving bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• What other drugs will affect bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?

Bupivacaine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks the nerve impulses that send pain signals to your brain.

Bupivacaine is used as a local (in only one area) anesthetic for a spinal block.

Bupivacaine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak or shallow breathing;
• fast heart rate, gasping, feeling unusually hot;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse;
• feeling restless or anxious, ringing in the ears, metallic taste, speech problems, numbness or tingling around your mouth, tremors, feeling light-headed, or fainting; or
• problems with urination.

Less serious side effects include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• headache, back pain;
• dizziness;
• or problems with sexual function.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Sensorcaine (bupivacaine hci injections) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about bupivacaine (Sensorcaine)?

You should not receive bupivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, syphilis, polio, a brain or spinal cord tumor, chronic back pain, a headache, low or high blood pressure, a curved spine, or arthritis.

This medication can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely.

Spinal numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from bupivacaine.