Marcaine Spinal Side Effects

Generic name: bupivacaine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 12, 2025.

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

Applies to bupivacaine: implantation implant.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving this medicine to see if it is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia. The risk may be increased in children younger than 6 months of age, elderly patients, or patients with certain inborn defects. It is more likely to occur in patients receiving too much of the medicine, but can also occur with small amounts. Check with your doctor right away if you have pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, confusion, headache, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Marcaine Spinal

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

Other side effects of Marcaine Spinal

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:

See also:

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 Spinal 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