Carbocaine (Injection)

Mepivacaine injection is used to make a specific area numb or to prevent pain during certain medical procedures.

This medicine should only be given by your doctor or under their direct supervision.

It is very important for your doctor to closely monitor your or your child's progress while using this medicine to ensure it is working correctly. Blood tests may be necessary to check for any unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious blood issue called methemoglobinemia. The risk may be higher in children younger than 6 months of age, elderly patients, or patients with certain genetic conditions. It is more likely to happen if too much of the medicine is given, but it can also occur with small amounts. Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences any of the following symptoms after receiving this medicine: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, confusion, headache, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Notify your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: anxiety, blurred vision, depression, drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, numbness and tingling of the mouth or lips, restlessness, ringing in the ears, speech problems, or tremors.

This medicine may also cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical help. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of serious heart and blood vessel issues like a heart attack, heart rhythm changes, or low blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you experience chest pain or discomfort, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, dizziness, fainting, pounding or slow heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, it's important to weigh the risks against the benefits. This is a choice you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Due to the potential toxicity of this medicine, it should be used very carefully in children younger than 6 months old. Recommended doses should not be exceeded, and the patient should be closely monitored during treatment.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in the elderly that would limit the use of mepivacaine injection. However, older patients are more likely to have kidney issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment when receiving mepivacaine injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to assess the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When receiving this medicine, it is crucial that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medicines.

• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine Liposome
• Hyaluronidase
• Propranolol
• St John's Wort
• Verapamil

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency for one or both.

• Clonidine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken close to mealtimes or with certain foods because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Blood vessel disease or
• Heart disease or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Use with caution. The chance of side effects may increase.

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) or
• Heart problems or
• Lung or breathing issues or
• Methemoglobinemia (blood disorder), hereditary or idiopathic (unknown cause)—Use with caution. May increase the risk of methemoglobinemia.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be stronger due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Swelling or sepsis (serious infection) in the treatment area—Use with caution.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Anxiety
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• cold, clammy, pale skin
• confusion
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough
• decrease in the frequency and amount of urine
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• excitement
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• feeling sad or empty
• general feeling of illness
• hearing loss
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inability to breathe without assistance
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nausea
• painful urination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• restlessness
• seizures
• severe headache
• shivering
• slow heart rate
• slowing of labor
• stiff neck or back
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness of the muscles in your face

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Abnormal ejaculation
• decreased sexual performance or desire
• feeling of heat
• loss of bladder and bowel control
• loss of genital sensation and sexual function
• no sensation in the legs
• numbness
• unable to move the legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Carbocaine
• Polocaine
• Polocaine Dental
• Polocaine-MPF

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Amide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given through a needle injected into the surgical site or through a catheter placed into your lower back for an epidural or a spinal block. You may also receive the injection into your rib cage, chest, or other body areas.

This medicine should cause numbness only to the area where it is injected. You may experience temporary loss of sensation or movement in the injected area. This type of numbing procedure is called local anesthesia. It is not meant to cause you to fall asleep or become unconscious.

You may experience temporary loss of sensation and movement, usually in the lower half of your body, if you receive this medicine into your lower back (epidural). It may be easier to hurt yourself while your treated body area is still numb. Be careful to avoid injury until you have regained all the feeling and are no longer numb.

If you are receiving this medicine as an epidural to ease labor pains, it may take longer than normal for you to push your baby out. It is also possible that the baby may have unwanted effects after birth (including sleepiness, slow responses). Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how this medicine might affect your baby.