Bupivacaine: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan
Bupivacaine is a long-acting local anaesthetic. It is a prescription medicine used for spinal anaesthesia, nerve blocks and pain relief during labour and surgery. In Pakistan it is available as injections and inhalers, made by 5 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.
How Bupivacaine works
Bupivacaine blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, stopping them from sending pain signals to the brain. The area supplied by those nerves becomes numb, and sometimes temporarily weak, for several hours until the medicine is gradually removed by the body.
What is Bupivacaine used for?
- Spinal anaesthesia
- Nerve blocks and pain relief during labour
- Surgery
Bupivacaine is used to numb part of the body for surgery and to relieve pain. It is given as a spinal or epidural injection, for example for caesarean section, hip or knee surgery and pain relief during labour, and also for nerve blocks and local infiltration around a wound. Its long action makes it useful for pain control after an operation.
Side effects of Bupivacaine
After Bupivacaine, some temporary effects are common. These include:
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Shivering
- Difficulty passing urine
- Headache after a spinal injection
Staff watch for and you should report dizziness, ringing in the ears, a metallic taste, numbness of the tongue or lips, muscle twitching or an irregular heartbeat. A severe headache in the days after a spinal or epidural also needs medical review.
Precautions and warnings
- It is given only in hospital or clinic settings by trained healthcare professionals who monitor the patient.
- Tell the medical team about allergies, other medicines and any kidney, liver or heart problems.
- Let the team know if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, as this affects whether a spinal or epidural can be given.
- Take care not to injure numb areas until feeling returns, and do not walk unaided until staff say it is safe.
- Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of treatment.
Frequently asked questions about Bupivacaine
What is the price of Bupivacaine in Pakistan?
At Medimart, Bupivacaine products currently in stock range from Rs 42 to Rs 486 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Abocain 0.5% Injection at Rs 42. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.Which brands of Bupivacaine are available in Pakistan?
Bupivacaine is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Abocain (Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Ltd), Sensocain (Brookes Pharmaceutical Labs (Pak) Ltd), Bupicain (Lahore Chemical & Pharmaceutical Works Ltd), Bupine (Akson Pharmaceutical Co Ltd) and Bucan (Bosch Pharmaceuticals Ltd).Do I need a prescription for Bupivacaine?
Yes. Bupivacaine is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.
Are all Bupivacaine brands the same?
Brands that contain the same amount of Bupivacaine in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.
Bupivacaine brands and prices in Pakistan
Medimart lists 7 products containing Bupivacaine from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.
