Bupivacaine belongs to a class of medications called local analgesics. It works by blocking nerve signals of pain in your body and is therefore used to reduce pain in surgical procedures, dental practices and childbirth.
Bupivacaine is injected through a needle directly into or near the area to be numbed in dental or hospital settings.
For epidural anaesthesia, Bupivacaine is injected in your middle or lower back near your spine. The common dosage for epidural anaesthesia is 50-150 mg, administered using a 2.5 mg/mL or 5 mg/mL solution.
For Cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, the common dosage is 6.25-12.5 mg/hour of 0.125% Bupivacaine solution.
For a dental procedure, Bupivacaine is injected into the mouth near the tooth or teeth your dentist will be working on.
The maximum dosage of Bupivacaine is 175 mg per dose, and 400 mg per 24 hours.
Common dosing schedule:
Bupivacaine is injected into the required sites by a medical professional prior to surgical procedures. It may be administered once, multiple times or continuously as an infusion depending on the conditions.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Bupivacaine may interact with:
Bupivacaine may increase your risk of developing methemoglobinemia when concurrently using the following drugs:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Bupivacaine is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Bupivacaine in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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