Have you ever had to undergo surgery? Or are you planning to have one in the future? The biggest fear we have at such times is the pain that occurs after the surgery. But now, because of the advancement in medical science, there are many ways to control this pain. Well, today we are talking about a special medicine that controls the pain that occurs after surgery for a few days.
What is this Bupivacaine implant?
Simply put, this is a numbing medication that is given to stop the pain that occurs after surgery. Just like numbing your gums before a tooth extraction, this medication numbs the skin and tissues around the surgical site. But it's not like a regular anesthetic injection.
This drug (Liposomal Bupivacaine) comes as a small, soft 'implant'. Imagine you are having a hernia operation. The surgeon places this piece of medicine inside the wound after the surgery is over and before the wound is sewn up. The special thing about this is that it gradually releases the painkiller into the body over a period of several days. This means that you get great relief from the pain of the surgery for 2-3 days straight. Some of the brand names for this are `Xaracoll`.
Things your doctor needs to know before giving you this medicine
Although this is a medication given in a hospital, it is very important to give the doctor a complete description of your health condition, as this medication may not be compatible with some medical conditions.
Be sure to tell your doctor about these things:
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to Bupivacaine or any other anesthetic medicine.
- If you have heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.
- If you have a blood disorder such as G6PD deficiency.
- If you have respiratory diseases like asthma.
- If you have low blood pressure.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
It is very important for your own safety to tell your doctor without hiding this information, because you need to be especially careful when using this medicine with these types of medical conditions.
How to use this medicine?
This is not a medicine that you can take home. This is something that is placed at the surgical site by a doctor during surgery in a hospital or clinic . So you don't have to worry about missing a dose or taking too much.
If you suddenly feel that you have experienced any unusual symptoms due to this medicine, inform a doctor or nurse immediately. If you suspect an overdose of any medicine, in our country, you should call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital directly. Also, if you are in a hospital, the best thing to do is to immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Can there be problems with other medications? (Drug Interactions)
Yes, some medications can interact with Bupivacaine. Therefore, you should inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, not just those prescribed by your doctor, but also over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products, before your surgery.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Other numbing medications | Lidocaine, Tetracaine |
| Some antibiotics | Dapsone, Nitrofurantoin, Sulfonamides |
| Seizure medication | Phenobarbital, Phenytoin |
| Painkillers | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) |
| Medications for heart disease | Nitroglycerin, Nitroprusside |
| Other medications | Chloroquine, Quinine, Metoclopramide, Sulfasalazine |
Things to be careful about when taking the medicine
You need to be very careful while this medicine is taking effect, that is, while the area where the surgery was performed is numb. Imagine that you have had surgery on your stomach and this medicine was given to you. Because that area is numb, you don't feel anything that hits, presses, or hurts there. Therefore, it is your responsibility to take care of that area so that it doesn't get injured or cause any harm.
What are the side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting. |
| Nervous system problems | Seizures , tremors. |
| Symptoms of Methemoglobinemia | Pale, gray or blue skin, headache, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Other features | Headache, fever, restlessness, change in taste in the mouth, changes in vision. |
Take-Home Message
- Bupivacaine implant is a special medication that is placed near the wound during surgery and controls pain for several days.
- This is not a medicine you can take home. It is used by a doctor in the hospital.
- It is imperative that you tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking before surgery.
- If you experience symptoms such as severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, seizures , or abnormal heartbeat, seek medical advice immediately.
- When a part of your body is numb from the effects of the medication, take great care to protect that area from injury.
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