Tetracaine injection

Tetracaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medicine). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Tetracaine injection is given as an epidural injection into the spinal column to cause numbness during labor, surgery, or certain medical procedures.

Tetracaine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Tetracaine is given as an injection through a needle into your middle or lower back near your spine. You will get this injection in a hospital.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be monitored closely while you receive tetracaine injection.

Spinal numbing medicines can affect certain body functions for a long time, such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Discuss these effects with your doctor.

You should not receive tetracaine injection if you are allergic to tetracaine injection or any other type of numbing medicine.

You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to tetracaine injection or any other type of numbing medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high blood pressure;
• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;
• any type of infection;
• hereditary angioedema or allergic reactions; or
• a disease or medical condition that affects your brain or spinal cord.

Unless you are receiving this medicine during labor and delivery, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver right away if you experience:

• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
• tremors, extreme drowsiness;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• severe headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light; or
• numbness, tingling, burning pain, or severe shooting pains anywhere in your body.

Common side effects of tetracaine injection may include:

• feeling nervous or excited;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• chills;
• headache;
• blurred vision;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• 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 tetracaine injection is given as needed before surgery or other medical procedures, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

Since tetracaine injection is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP or SMZ-TMP, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect tetracaine injection, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.