Bupivacaine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Marcaine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Long-acting amide local anesthetic — Na+ channel blocker with ~4× duration of lidocaine. Used for epidurals, spinal anesthesia, nerve blocks. Cardiotoxicity (intractable VT/VF on accidental IV injection) is the dose-limiting concern; lipid emulsion is the rescue therapy.

Half-Life (t½)

IM: 2.6h

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems