Marcaine HCl Side Effects

Generic name: bupivacaine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 30, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Marcaine HCl Side Effects associated with bupivacaine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Marcaine HCl.

Applies to bupivacaine: implantation implant.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Serious side effects of Marcaine HCl

Along with its needed effects, bupivacaine (the active ingredient contained in Marcaine HCl) 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:

More common side effects

• fever
• headache
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• swelling or discharge where the implant is placed

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• flushing, redness of the skin
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• nausea
• no blood pressure or pulse
• palpitations
• restlessness
• skin rash, itching, hives, or welts
• sweating
• unconsciousness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusually warm skin
• vomiting

Other side effects of Marcaine HCl

Some side effects of bupivacaine 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:

More common side effects

• change in taste
• loss of taste
• numbness in the mouth

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bupivacaine: compounding powder, injectable kit, injectable solution, intrathecal solution, intravenous solution, parenteral implant.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects are acute adverse experiences which demand immediate countermeasures are related to the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. A major cause of adverse reactions is excessive plasma levels, which may be due to overdose, unintentional intravascular injection, or slow metabolic degradation. It is also difficult to distinguish adverse reactions caused by the drug per se from the physiological effects of the nerve block (e.g. decrease in blood pressure, bradycardia, temporary urinary retention), events caused directly (e.g. spinal hematoma) or indirectly (e.g. meningitis, epidural abscess) by needle puncture or events associated to cerebrospinal leakage (e.g. postdural puncture headache).^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension, bradycardia
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac output decreased, heart block, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, myocardium depression, cardiovascular collapse, maternal hypotension^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, postdural puncture headache, dizziness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresis, dysesthesia, convulsion, circumoral paresthesia, unconsciousness, tremor, lightheadedness, dysarthria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Paraplegia, paralysis, neuropathy, arachnoiditis, total unintentional spinal block, peripheral nerve injury
• Frequency not reported: Loss of sphincter control, meningismus, cranial nerve palsies, syncope, high/total spinal block, slurred speech, drowsiness, spinal hematoma^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea
• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Fecal incontinence, swallowing difficult, numbness of tongue^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Persistent anesthesia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention, urinary incontinence
• Frequency not reported: Loss of perineal sensation, loss of sexual function^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Respiratory depression
• Frequency not reported: Respiratory arrest, laryngeal edema, sneezing, respiratory paralysis, hypoxia, hypercarbia^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperacusis, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Alkaline phosphatase increased, bilirubin increased, chills, weakness, septic meningitis, labor delayed, temperature elevated, forceps delivery increased, sensation of heat, cold/numbness^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision disturbed
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Diplopia
• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, pupils constricted^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Restlessness, anxiety, depression, agitation, nervousness, apprehension, euphoria, confusion^[Ref]

Hepatic

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

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, pruritus, erythema, angioedema, excessive sweating, cutaneous lesion^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle weakness, back pain, muscle twitching
• Frequency not reported: Joint pain, stiffness, loss of motion
• Postmarketing reports: Chondrolysis^[Ref]

Further information

Marcaine HCl side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer