Carbocaine Preservative-Free
Generic name: Mepivacaine [ me-PIV-a-kane ]
Brand names: Carbocaine, Carbocaine Preservative-Free, Polocaine, Polocaine Dental, Polocaine-MPF, Scandonest 3% Plain
Drug class: Local injectable anesthetics
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 6, 2024.
Uses of Carbocaine Preservative-Free:
- It is used to numb an area before a procedure.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Carbocaine Preservative-Free?
- If you have an allergy to mepivacaine or any other part of Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine).
- If you are allergic to Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine); any part of Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Carbocaine Preservative-Free?
For all uses of Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine):
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
- A severe blood problem called methemoglobinemia has happened with drugs like this one. The risk may be raised in people who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, heart problems, or lung problems. The risk may also be raised while taking certain other drugs and in infants younger than 6 months of age. Tell your doctor if you have ever had methemoglobinemia.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine) affects you.
- Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
- If you are 65 or older, use Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine) with care. You could have more side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
Epidural:
- This medicine may cause short-term loss of feeling and motor activity in the lower half of your body. Do not try to get out of bed or do other tasks or actions until feeling and motor activity have returned to normal.
Mouth:
- Do not eat while your mouth feels numb. You may bite your tongue.
How is this medicine (Carbocaine Preservative-Free) best taken?
Use Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot.
- Your doctor will give Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine).
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of methemoglobinemia like a blue or gray color of the lips, nails, or skin; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; seizures; very bad dizziness or passing out; very bad headache; feeling very sleepy; feeling tired or weak; or shortness of breath. This effect is rare but may be deadly if it happens.
- Fast or slow heartbeat.
- Change in balance.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Restlessness.
- Anxiety.
- Change in speech.
- Metallic taste.
- Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, confused, or having blurred eyesight.
- Ringing in ears.
- Shakiness.
- Twitching.
- Low mood (depression).
- Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
Related/similar drugs
lidocaine ophthalmic, cocaine nasal, bupivacaine
What are some other side effects of Carbocaine Preservative-Free?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Carbocaine Preservative-Free?
- If you need to store Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Carbocaine Preservative-Free (mepivacaine), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
More about Carbocaine (mepivacaine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (6)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Generic availability
- Drug class: local injectable anesthetics
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
Other brands
Polocaine, Polocaine-MPF, Scandonest Plain
Professional resources
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.