Marcaine HCl Side Effects
Generic name: bupivacaine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 18, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about bupivacaine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Marcaine HCl.
Applies to bupivacaine: implantation implant. Other dosage forms:
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
- 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
- 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
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]
More about Marcaine HCl (bupivacaine)
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Patient resources
Other brands
Sensorcaine, Sensorcaine-MPF, Xaracoll
Professional resources
Other brands
Sensorcaine, Posimir, Sensorcaine-MPF, Xaracoll
Other formulations
Related treatment guides
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
3. (2008) "Product Information. Marcaine HCl (bupivacaine)." Hospira Inc
4. (2017) "Product Information. Bupivacaine Hydrochloride, Spinal (bupivacaine)." Claris Lifesciences Inc
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.