Carbocaine HCl

Generic name: Mepivacaine
Drug class: Local injectable anesthetics

Usage of Carbocaine HCl

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

Carbocaine HCl is used as a local (in only one area) anesthetic for an epidural or spinal block. It is also used as an anesthetic for dental procedures.

Carbocaine HCl may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Carbocaine HCl side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, skin redness; nausea, vomiting, sweating, feeling hot; fast heartbeats; sneezing, difficult breathing; dizziness, fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver right away if you have:

numbness and tingling in your mouth or lips, metallic taste in your mouth;

ringing in your ears, blurred vision, slurred speech, headache;

confusion, depression, severe drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;

slow heart rate, weak pulse, weak or shallow breathing;

fever, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light;

tremors or muscle twitching, feeling anxious or restless;

ongoing numbness, weakness, or loss of movement in your legs or feet;

loss of bladder or bowel control;

loss of feeling in your lower stomach, groin, or genitals;

painful or difficult urination; or

fast heart rate, rapid breathing, feeling hot.

Common side effects of Carbocaine HCl may include:

anxiety, feeling restless or excited;

depression, dizziness;

tremors; or

blurred vision, ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Carbocaine HCl

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

To make sure Carbocaine HCl is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease;

low or high blood pressure;

heart disease or a history of stroke;

heart rhythm disorder;

coronary artery disease;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

a drug allergy; or

if you regularly use any medicines (especially to treat migraine headache, depression, or mental illness).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Carbocaine HCl will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Carbocaine HCl.

It is not known whether Mepivacaine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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How to use Carbocaine HCl

For an epidural or spinal block, Carbocaine HCl is injected into an area of your lower back near your spine. You will receive this injection in a hospital or surgical setting.

For a dental procedure, Carbocaine HCl is injected into the gum area inside your mouth. You will receive this injection in a dentist's office or oral surgery setting.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs may be watched closely while you are receiving Carbocaine HCl.

Spinal numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes. This includes 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 Carbocaine HCl.

Warnings

Spinal numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from Carbocaine HCl.

What other drugs will affect Carbocaine HCl

Other drugs may interact with mepivacaine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.