Are you scheduled to have surgery? Or is someone you know getting ready for surgery? The biggest fear that many people have when it comes to surgery is the pain that comes after the surgery. But today, because medical science has advanced, there are many ways to control this pain. Today, we are going to talk about one such new and special method. That is the Bupivacaine Implant.
Simply put, what is Bupivacaine?
Bupivacaine is a medicine used to prevent or treat pain after surgery. It belongs to a group of drugs called local anesthetics .
Imagine that you have had surgery on your hand. What this medicine does is temporarily stop the pain from going to the brain through the nerves in the hand where the surgery was performed. It's like temporarily blocking the "pain signals" that go through them. Then you don't feel any pain at the site of the surgery.
The special thing about this is that it is not given as a pill or as an injection. It is an implant . That is, during surgery , your doctor will place a small device containing this medicine inside the surgical wound. From there, the medicine is released and the pain is controlled for a few days. A common brand name for this is `(Xaracoll)`.
Things your doctor needs to know before giving you this medicine:
Even though this is a medication given in a hospital setting, it is extremely important to inform your medical team about any other medical conditions you may have, as that information will determine whether this medication is right for you.
If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- G6PD deficiency: This is a condition involving an enzyme in the blood of some people.
- Heart disease : If you have any heart disease.
- Kidney disease : If there are problems with kidney function.
- Liver disease : If you have any liver disease.
- Low blood pressure : If your blood pressure is usually low.
- Lung diseases: Lung-related conditions like asthma.
- Allergies: If you have any allergies to Bupivacaine or other anesthetics, any other medications, foods, or dyes, you must disclose them.
- Pregnancy: Be sure to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding .
It is very important for your own safety to talk to your doctor about your medical history without hiding anything.
How do I use this? What should I be careful about?
This medicine is not something you can take home. It is placed in the surgical site by your medical team at the hospital or clinic during surgery. So you don't have to worry about how to use it.
But there are a few important things to know.
- Use in children: Special care may be needed if this medicine is used in young children. Talk to your doctor about this.
- If you overdose: This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that you have overdosed, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital , or inform the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Be careful of the numb area: This is the most important thing you need to remember. The medicine numbs the area where the surgery was performed, so you don't feel any pain. So you can accidentally injure that area. For example, if you have surgery on your leg and have this medicine applied, you won't feel any pain because your leg will be numb. But if you accidentally hit your leg somewhere hard, cut it, or get burned by something hot, you won't feel it. So you need to be very careful of the numb part of your body.
What are the side effects of the medicine?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some side effects can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
Let's see what it is in the table below.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| ⚠️ Side effects that should be reported to the medical team immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, fainting, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. |
| Symptoms of Methemoglobinemia | Headache, unusual tiredness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, blue skin or lips. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in blood pressure | Increase or decrease in blood pressure (symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision). |
| Seizures | Body tremors or seizures. |
| 🙂 Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Psychological effects | Restlessness, restlessness. |
| Drowsiness | Feeling unusually sleepy. |
| Digestive system problems | Nausea, vomiting. |
This list is not all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you are taking may interact with Bupivacaine. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Some medications that may interact with this medicine include:
- Acetaminophen
- Some antibiotics (e.g. dapsone, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides)
- Some medications for seizures (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid)
- Chloroquine
- Cyclophosphamide
- Nitroglycerin
- Other local anesthetics such as lidocaine and tetracaine
- Quinine
This list is not exhaustive, so it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Take-Home Message
- Bupivacaine Implant is a special medication that is implanted at the site of surgery to control pain after surgery.
- Before you are given this treatment, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- Be very careful as you may inadvertently injure a body part that is numb from the medication.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, changes in heart rate, seizures, or severe allergic reactions.
- If you have any questions about this medication, never be afraid to ask your doctor about it.
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