Mepivacaine

Mepivacaine is a prescription medication used to treat as a local anesthetic for an epidural or spinal block. It is also used as an anesthetic for dental procedures. 

• Mepivacaine is available under various brand names: Carbocaine, Carbocaine HCl, Polocaine, Polocaine DENTAL, Polocaine-MPF, Scandonest 

Common side effects of Mepivacaine include:

• anxiety, feeling restless or excited.
• depression, dizziness.
• tremors; or
• blurred vision, ringing in your ears.

Serious side effects of Mepivacaine include:

• hives, 
• itching, 
• skin redness. 
• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• sweating, 
• feeling hot. 
• fast heartbeats. 
• sneezing, 
• difficult breathing. 
• dizziness, 
• fainting. 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• numbness and tingling in your mouth or lips, metallic taste in the mouth.
• ringing in your ears, blurred vision, slurred speech, headache.
• confusion, depression, severe drowsiness, and a light-headed feeling.
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, weak or shallow breathing.
• fever, neck stiffness, and 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.

Rare side effects of Mepivacaine include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable solution

• 1%
• 1.5%
• 2%
• 3%

Infiltration Anesthesia

Adult dosage

• Up to 400 mg (80 mL of 0.5% or 40 mL of 1% solution)

Cervical/Brachial/Intercostal or Pudendal Block

Adult dosage

1. 50-400 mg (5-40 mL) of 1% or 100-400 mg (5-20 mL) 2% solution; for pudendal block inject one half total dose each side; not to exceed 400 mg

Transvaginal Block

Adult dosage

• Up to 300 mg (30 mL of 1% solution); inject one-half total dose on each side; not to exceed 300 mg

Paracervical Block

Adult dosage

• Up to 200 mg (20 mL of 1% solution); inject one-half total dose on each side; not to exceed 200 mg

Administration

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 3 years or 13.6 kg: Not to exceed 5-6 mg/kg/dose; administer below 2% concentration solution only

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Mepivacaine has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • bupivacaine liposome
• Mepivacaine has serious interactions with the following drug:
  • bupivacaine implant
• Mepivacaine has moderate interactions with the following drug:
  • nadolol
  • pindolol
  • propranolol
  • timolol
• Mepivacaine has minor interactions with the following drug:
  • hyaluronidase

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Mepivacaine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Mepivacaine?”

Cautions

• 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 mepivacaine. 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 mepivacaine.
• After your dental procedure, avoid eating, chewing gum, or drinking hot liquids until the feeling in your mouth has returned completely. Mepivacaine can cause numbness for a long period of time. Chewing while your mouth is numb could result in a bite injury to your tongue, lips, or inside of your cheek.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• It is not known whether mepivacaine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether mepivacaine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.