Mepivacaine

Mepivacaine is a numbing medicine that stops nerve signals that carry pain to your brain.

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

Mepivacaine may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

For an epidural or spinal block, mepivacaine 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, mepivacaine 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 mepivacaine.

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 mepivacaine.

Spinal numbing medications can cause lasting or permanent changes to some body functions. Please discuss your individual risk of nerve damage from mepivacaine with your doctor.

You should not take mepivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.

To ensure mepivacaine is safe for you, inform 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 take any medicines (especially for migraine headache, depression, or mental illness).

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

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

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 mepivacaine 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.

Since mepivacaine is given as needed before surgery or other medical procedures, you will not likely have a dosing schedule.

Tell your caregivers immediately if you think you have received too much mepivacaine.

Signs of overdose may include being extremely drowsy, having a seizure (convulsion), shallow breathing, or a slow heart rate.

After your dental procedure, do not eat, chew gum, or drink hot liquids until the feeling in your mouth has completely returned. Mepivacaine can cause numbness for a long time. Chewing while your mouth is numb could lead to a bite injury to your tongue, lips, or the inside of your cheek.

Other drugs may interact with mepivacaine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform all your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicines you begin or discontinue.