MedicinehospitalEssential

Bupivacaine

Bupivacaine is a long-acting local anaesthetic injected to numb part of the body for surgery and other procedures.

Clinical information

Common uses

local or regional anaesthesia for surgery
dental and oral surgery procedures
obstetric and diagnostic procedures

Cautions

boxed warning: cardiac arrest reported with the 0.75% strength in obstetric epidurals
given only by trained clinicians with resuscitation equipment ready
accidental injection into a blood vessel can cause seizures and heart problems
not for intravenous regional anaesthesia (Bier block)

Interactions

other local anaesthetics (toxic effects add up)
MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants (with the adrenaline-containing form)
ergot-type oxytocic drugs
beta blockers
medicines linked to methaemoglobinaemia
potent inhalation anaesthetics

Pregnancy: 0.75% strength not recommended for obstetric anaesthesia

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Marcaine (bupivacaine hydrochloride injection) label, setid 2c6f9b85-e783-4ad4-a804-a0ff1a32ec2c (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations4

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Anawin	Parenteral ( Injection )	50mg/20ml	—	hospital
Bupivacaine	Parenteral ( Injection )	0.005	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Bupivacaine	Parenteral ( Injection )	0.0025	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Buvasin	Parenteral preparation ( Solution for Injection )	5 mg/ml (0.5 %)	—	hospital