Bupivacaine HCl (Sensorcaine) Drug Study

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Local anesthetics such as bupivacaine block the generation and the conduction of nerve impulses, presumably by increasing the threshold for electrical excitation in the nerve, by slowing the propagation of the nerve impulse, and by reducing the rate of rise of the action potential. In general, the progression of anesthesia is related to the diameter, myelination and conduction velocity of affected nerve fibers. Clinically, the order of loss of nerve function is as follows: (1) pain, (2) temperature, (3) touch, (4) proprioception, and (5) skeletal muscle tone.

GENERIC NAME: Bupivacaine HCL

BRAND NAME: Sensorcaine, Marcaine

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION: amide type local anaesthetic

Indications of Bupivacaine

• For the production of local or regional anesthesia or analgesia for surgery, for oral surgery procedures, for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and for obstetrical procedures.

Contraindications of Bupivacaine

• Sensorcaine (bupivacaine HCl) is contraindicated in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia. Its use by this technique has resulted in fetal bradycardia and death.
• Sensorcaine is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to it or to any local anesthetic agent of the amide type or to other components of bupivacaine solutions.

Side-Effects of Bupivacaine

• Mild dizziness or drowsiness.
• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; changes in hearing; chest pain; excitement; irregular heartbeat; nausea; numbness that lasts for more than a few hours; restlessness; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; tremors; vomiting.

Nursing Considerations of Bupivacaine

1. When appropriate, patients should be informed in advance that they may experience temporary loss of sensation and motor activity, usually in the lower half of the body following proper administration of caudal or lumbar epidural anesthesia. Also, when appropriate, the physician should discuss other information including adverse reactions in the Sensorcaine package insert.
2. Inform the patient before using this medication, to tell his/her doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products he/she may use. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.