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Ropivacaine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 26, 2023.

Applies to ropivacaine: injection solution.

Serious side effects of Ropivacaine

Along with its needed effects, ropivacaine 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 ropivacaine:

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Ropivacaine

Some side effects of ropivacaine 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

Less common

Rare

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ropivacaine: 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 (up to 54.6%), bradycardia (up to 19.5%), fetal bradycardia (12.1%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, tachycardia, chest pain, fetal tachycardia, fetal distress

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, severe hypotension

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

Frequency not reported: Vasovagal reaction, postural hypotension, non-specific ECG abnormalities, extrasystole, nonspecific arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, ST segment changes, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis, pulmonary embolism[Ref]

Nervous system

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

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): CNS toxicity, convulsion, grand mal convulsions, seizure, lightheadedness, circumoral paresthesia, numbness of the tongue, hyperacusis, dysarthria, tremor

Frequency not reported: Horner's syndrome, paresis, dyskinesia, neuropathy, coma, convulsion, hypokinesia, hypotonia, ptosis, stupor, spinal cord dysfunction, anterior spinal artery syndrome, arachnoiditis, cauda equine, total spinal block, persistent anesthesia, weakness, paralysis of lower extremities, loss of sphincter control, septic meningitis[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site pain[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 29.4%), vomiting (up to 14.6%)

Common (1% to 10%): Neonatal vomiting

Frequency not reported: Fecal incontinence, tenesmus[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fever, pain, postoperative complication, rigors, neonatal complication, Apgar score low, neonatal fever, neonatal infection, temperature elevation, chills

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus, hypothermia, neonatal sepsis

Frequency not reported: Malaise, asthenia, accident/injury, hearing abnormal, vertigo[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention, oliguria, urinary tract infection, progression of labor poor/failed

Frequency not reported: Uterine atony, urinary incontinence, micturition disorder[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, urticaria

Frequency not reported: Rash[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Neonatal jaundice

Frequency not reported: Jaundice[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia, neonatal hypoglycemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fetal acidosis

Frequency not reported: Hypomagnesemia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (up to 16.4%)

Common (1% to 10%): Cramps

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscular twitch, muscular rigidity, hypotonia

Frequency not reported: Myalgia[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Vision abnormal, vision blurred, pupil constriction[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, insomnia

Frequency not reported: Agitation, confusion, somnolence, nervousness, amnesia, hallucination, emotional lability, nightmares, restlessness, drowsiness, unconsciousness[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, rhinitis, neonatal respiratory disorder, neonatal tachypnea, hypoxia, hypercapnia, apnea

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, coughing, underventilation, apnea, respiratory paralysis[Ref]

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Breast disorder/breastfeeding disorder[Ref]

Immunologic

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

References

1. Product Information. Naropin (ropivacaine). Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

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.