How Do Parenteral Local Anesthetics Work?

Parenteral local anesthetics are administered using an injection to cause loss of sensation before minor surgery.

Local anesthesia causes the temporary loss of sensation, including pain, without depressing the consciousness. It acts within nerve fibers to inhibit the rapid inflow of sodium necessary for impulse generation. When there is no impulse generation, there is no transmission of pain around that area. Also, there is a loss of sensation around that area.

Parenteral local anesthetics are used to cause loss of sensation before:

• Minor surgery
• Incisions
• Biopsies
• Dental procedures
• Obstetrical procedures

Side effects of parenteral local anesthetics include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fever
• Fungal infection
• Itching
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Seizure
• Abnormal heart rate
• Pain
• Sleepiness
• Infection
• Facial swelling
• Paresthesia (tingling and prickling sensation)
• Gingivitis (inflammation of gums)
• Hemorrhage
• Convulsions
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Acidosis (a buildup of acid in the blood)
• Backache
• Urinary retention

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of parenteral local anesthetics include:

• Articaine/Epinephrine
• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine liposome
• Bupivacaine/Meloxicam
• Carbocaine
• Chloroprocaine
• Clorotekal
• Exparel
• Lidocaine anesthetic
• Marcaine
• Mepivacaine
• Naropin
• Nesacaine
• Orabloc
• Polocaine
• Polocaine-MPF
• Posimir
• Ropivacaine
• Sensorcaine
• Septocaine
• Xylocaine
• Zingo
• Zorcaine with Epinephrine