The latter may cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. The most commonly encountered acute adverse reactions with bupivacaine hydrochloride are related to the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. These effects are generally dose-related and are due to high plasma levels or unintentional intravascular or subarachnoid injection of the drug. Neurological effects, following epidural or caudal anethesia, may include such effects as spinal block of varying magnitude, urinary retention, fecal and urinary incontinence and loss of perineal sensation and sexual function. Contraindications Contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the bupivacaine hydrochloride, to any local anesthetic agent of the amide type or to other components of the bupivacaine solutions.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic of the amide type with a long duration of action.
It is available commercially in sterile water solution. It is also available with epinephrine or epinephrine bitartrate. The hydrochloride monohydrate is a white crystalline powder. The hydrochloride monohydrate is soluble in water or alcohol, and slightly soluble in acetone, chloroform or ether. Sympathetic block during spinal anesthesia in volunteers using lidocaine, tetracaine, and bupivacaine.