An Injectable, Amide Group Local Anaesthetic Drug ( Class )

Bupivacaine hydrochloride (generic name) is an injectable, amide group local anaesthetic drug (class). In New Zealand this drug is marketed under the trade names Marcain, Marcain spinal and for veterinary use as Bucaine (Bullock and Manias, 2013). When in combination with a vasoconstrictor such as adrenaline, it is available as Marcain dental or Marcain with adrenaline. It is also available as Bupafen when in combination with fentanyl (MIMS, 2013). Other trade names include; Sensorcaine, Sensorcaine spinal and Vivacaine (Halaszynski, 2010). Formulations As an injection bupivacaine hydrochloride comes in a cartridge as a colourless, particle free solution. All preparations contain sodium chloride. When in combination with adrenaline it also contains sodium metabisulphite. Preparations with fentanyl contain fentanyl citrate (AstraZeneca Ltd., 2015). Indications Bupivacaine hydrochloride is indicated for local anaesthesia; this includes nerve block, infiltration, epidural (with fentanyl) and intrathecal (spinal) anaesthesia and analgesia (MIMS, 2013). Generally a single-shot injection is administered, however, to achieve prolonged anaesthesia and post-operative analgesia, the drug can be co-administered with adrenaline (Halaszynski, 2010). This drug is commonly used for medical pain during general and dental surgical procedures, obstetrical as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (Bullock and Manias, 2013). Contraindications Bupivacaine hydrochloride is