provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
Bupivacaine Coupon - Bupivacaine 50ml of 0.5% vial

bupivacaine

Generic Marcaine
Used for Pain, Anesthesia
Used for Pain, Anesthesia

Bupivacaine is a medication that's injected by a trained healthcare provider to numb a specific area of the body before a surgery or procedure. Certain brands of bupivacaine might only be used in certain procedures (e.g. Posimir is only used near the shoulder joint). Bupivacaine needs to be carefully injected since this medication can cause serious problems to other parts of the body, including the heart, lung, brain, and spinal cord.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 5, 2023
BasicsFAQsInteractionsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Bupivacaine?

What is Bupivacaine used for?

  • Preventing pain from certain surgeries or procedures

How Bupivacaine works

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMarcaine, Sensorcaine, Posimir
Drug ClassLocal anesthetic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
faqs

Frequently asked questions about Bupivacaine

What is bupivacaine?
Bupivacaine is an injectable local anesthetic (numbing medication) used in adults to numb a specific part of the body to prevent pain before a surgery or procedure. Bupivacaine works to numb the area by blocking the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. Bupivacaine is injected by a trained healthcare provider who will determine the dose depending on your health, procedure, and area of the injection.
What are some side effects of bupivacaine?
Side effects of bupivacaine typically depend on the amount of medication that gets injected, where it's injected, or the pace at which your body gets rid of the medication. For example, too much bupivacaine can affect your brain and spinal cord which can lead to side effects such as restlessness, anxiety, dizziness, ringing in the ear, or blurred vision. If bupivacaine is injected into your spinal cord, you might experience low blood pressure, trouble using the restroom, headache, or backache. Your healthcare team will monitor your heart and your breathing during the procedure to make sure that your dose of bupivacaine is appropriate.
Can bupivacaine affect my heart?
Bupivacaine can cause serious heart problems, especially in those with a current heart condition. The risk is also higher if the medication is injected at a higher dose or if it's injected into certain areas of the body. If you have a heart problem (e.g. low blood pressure, heart block), let your provider know so they can adjust your dose to lower your risk of serious heart problems. Your healthcare team will watch your heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure closely while you're receiving this medication.
Does bupivacaine cause drowsiness?
Bupivacaine isn't intended to make you sleepy during your procedure. This medication is given to numb the area where your provider gives the injection. High doses of bupivacaine can affect your brain and spinal cord which might cause drowsiness in some people. Speak to your provider about other options that help you sleep through your procedure. If you do experience drowsiness, don't drive until the medication wears off.
What should I expect after my procedure if I was given bupivacaine?
If your provider gives you Marcaine (bupivacaine) for a dental procedure, the numbing effect can last up to 7 hours. During this time, don't chew any solid foods or bite on the numb area to avoid causing injuries to the area. If you've been given bupivacaine in your lower back or spinal cord area, you might experience a temporary loss of feeling in the lower half of your body. You might not be able to move or walk until the effect of bupivacaine wears off. Let your provider know if you have any of the symptoms above.
GoodRxEducationalIcon

How to save using GoodRx

Compare Prices
1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
Select your free coupon
2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
Show coupon to your pharmacist
3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
Get free couponLearn more
interactions

Interactions between Bupivacaine and other drugs

Bupivacaine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Bupivacaine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

alternatives

What are alternatives to Bupivacaine?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Bupivacaine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Bupivacaine
Used for:

  • Preventing pain from certain surgeries or procedures

View Prices
Ropivacaine (Naropin)
Used for:

  • Preventing pain from certain surgeries or procedures

  • Treatment of short-term pain

View Prices
images

Bupivacaine images

This medicine is Colorless Vial.
colorless - Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% Solution for Injection
This medicine is Colorless Vial.colorless - Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% Solution for Injection

Get savings updates for Bupivacaine

Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Bupivacaine and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

References

Best studies we found

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2021). Bupivacaine hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

Hospira, Inc. (2024). Marcaine with epinephrine- bupivacaine hydrochloride and epinephrine bitartrate injection, solution; Marcaine- bupivacaine hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
Was this page helpful?

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.