Vivacaine Side Effects

Generic name: bupivacaine / epinephrine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 7, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about bupivacaine / epinephrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Vivacaine.

Applies to bupivacaine / epinephrine: injection solution.

Serious side effects of Vivacaine

Along with its needed effects, bupivacaine/epinephrine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bupivacaine / epinephrine:

Incidence not known

• Anxiety
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• cold, clammy, pale skin
• confusion
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough
• decrease in the frequency and amount of urine
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• excitement
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• feeling sad or empty
• general feeling of illness
• hearing loss
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inability to breathe without assistance
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nausea
• painful urination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• restlessness
• seizures
• severe headache
• shivering
• slow heart rate
• slowing of labor
• stiff neck or back
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weakness of the muscles in your face

Other side effects of Vivacaine

Some side effects of bupivacaine / epinephrine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Abnormal ejaculation
• decreased sexual performance or desire
• feeling of heat
• loss of bladder and bowel control
• loss of genital sensation and sexual function
• no sensation in the legs
• numbness
• unable to move the legs

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to bupivacaine / epinephrine: injectable solution.

General

Reactions to this drug are characteristic of those associated with other amide-type local anesthetics. A major cause of side effects can me associated with excessive plasma levels which may be due to overdose, unintentional intravascular injection, or slow metabolic degradation.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Hypotension

Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, hypertension

Rare (less than 0.1%): Cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia

Frequency not reported: Severe hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, tachycardia, maternal hypotension, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, heart block, depression of myocardium^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea

Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting

Frequency not reported: Difficulty swallowing, fecal incontinence, loss of bowel control^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, dizziness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Central nervous system toxicity, convulsions, circumoral paresthesia, numbness of tongue, hyperacusis, loss of consciousness, tremor, light-headedness, dysarthria

Rare (less than 0.1%): Neuropathy, peripheral nerve injury, arachnoiditis, paresis, paraplegia

Frequency not reported: Unconsciousness, grand mal convulsion, drowsiness, convulsion, slurred speech, syncope, headache, persistent anesthesia, weakness, paralysis, loss of sphincter control, cranial nerve palsie^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention

Frequency not reported: Urinary incontinence, loss of perineal sensation, loss of sexual function, loss of bladder control, labor slowed^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, sensations of heat, sensations of cold, numbness, edema, death, septic meningitis, meningismus, forcep delivery increased^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Cutaneous lesion, urticaria, excessive sweating, pruritus, erythema, angioedema, laryngeal edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle twitch

Frequency not reported: Backache^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, acidosis, hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Hepatic dysfunction, ALT increased, AST increased^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision disturbed

Rare (less than 0.1%): Diplopia

Frequency not reported: Vision blurred, pupils constricted^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Nervousness, apprehension, euphoria, confusion, agitation, excitation, depression, restlessness, anxiety^[Ref]

Respiratory

Rare (less than 0.1%): Respiratory depression

Frequency not reported: Apnea, hypoxia, hypercarbia, respiratory arrest, sneezing^[Ref]

Immunologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reaction, anaphylactic reaction/shock^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer