Levobupivacaine
About
Levobupivacaine is a local anaesthetic medicine used to reduce pain and discomfort during medical procedures. It produces local numbness and relieves pain. Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, which causes uncomfortable sensations in the body. The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person.
Levobupivacaine contains Levobupivacaine as an active ingredient, which belongs to the group of medicines called 'amide-type anaesthetics'. It works by acting on the nervous system and nerves to block the transmission of pain signals in the pain area, which results in the loss of pain.
Levobupivacaine may cause certain side effects such as weakness, tingling, restlessness, drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, irregular heartbeat, chills or shivering, back pain, nausea and vomiting. These side effects may not be similar to everyone and vary individually. If any of these side effects bother you, inform your doctor. Levobupivacaine will be administered by the doctor or the nurse before the surgery.
Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney or heart diseases, high or low blood pressure, excess fat in the body and breathing problems before administering Levobupivacaine. This medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe hypotension, cardiogenic or hypovolaemic shock, the paracervical block in obstetrics and intravenous regional anaesthesia. Levobupivacaine is recommended for infiltration analgesia (ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks) in children older than six months.
Uses of Levobupivacaine
Medicinal Benefits
Levobupivacaine contains Levobupivacaine, used to relieve pain and discomfort during labour, surgery, dental treatment and other medical procedures. It works by blocking the transmission of pain signals in the pain area by acting on the nervous system and nerves. This blockage causes the loss of pain sensation helps in numbing the localized area, and provides relief from pain. Levobupivacaine is injected as an epidural injection at the spinal cord during labour and Caesarean section to prevent labour pain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levobupivacaine
- Weakness
- Restlessness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hypotension
- Chills
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty speaking
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney or heart diseases, high or low blood pressure, excess fat in the body and breathing problems before starting Levobupivacaine. This medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe hypotension, such as cardiogenic or hypovolemic shock, for use in the paracervical block in obstetrics and for intravenous regional anaesthesia. Levobupivacaine is not recommended for children 12 years of age. Let your doctor know about your complete medical and medication history, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements, before starting Levobupivacaine. Levobupivacaine released into breast milk during breastfeeding. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother. Avoid alcohol to prevent the worsening of side effects further.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Levobupivacaine may interact with other local anaesthetics (lidocaine), drugs treating abnormal heart rhythms (amiodarone, mexiletine), vasopressor drugs (vasopressin, phenylephrine)
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoiding alcohol may improve the side effects of Levobupivacaine, like drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Levobupivacaine, let your doctor know if you have any liver, kidney or heart diseases, high or low blood pressure, breathing problems, etc.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption as it may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionLevobupivacaine may be unsafe to use during pregnancy as it may show harmful effects on the foetus. Please consult your doctor before receiving Levobupivacaine if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedLevobupivacaine passes into breastmilk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Levobupivacaine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
not applicableLevobupivacaine will be administered before surgical procedures.
Liver
cautionPatients with hepatic disease should use Amide local anaesthetics, like levobupivacaine, with caution, as the liver metabolizes these drugs. Individuals who suffer from severe liver disease are more susceptible to toxic plasma concentrations due to their impaired ability to metabolize local anaesthetics safely.
Kidney
consult your doctorLimited information is available on the use of Levobupivacaine in patients with kidney problems. Hence, If you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Levobupivacaine.
Children
consult your doctorLevobupivacaine is recommended for infiltration analgesia (ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric blocks) in children older than six months. Consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle exercises like 20-30 minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep, as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.
- Follow heat or cold therapy, and apply a cold or hot compress on the painful areas for 15-20 minutes regularly.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes and green tea.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly since Levobupivacaine may affect your blood pressure.
- Careful monitoring of respiratory functions is needed while on treatment with Levobupivacaine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Surgical Anaesthesia: Anesthesia prevents the feeling of pain during medical procedures by using medications known as anaesthetics. A particular part of the body is rendered numb by local or regional anaesthesia. In order to undergo more invasive surgeries, general anaesthesia causes one to become unconscious or sleep momentarily.
Pain: This is not a disease but a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp; it might be constant or intermittent. The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person. Pain can be generalized (overall body aches) or localized (affecting a specific area of the body). Pain can be considered a good thing as it helps us know that something is wrong in the body and thereby helps diagnose the condition. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures, arthritis and stomach aches.
FAQs
Levobupivacaine temporarily blocks the pain signals from the nerves of the painful area to the brain, causing numbness at the affected site and relieving pain.
Levobupivacaine may affect your blood pressure. It is advised to inform your doctor before using Levobupivacaine if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy or low blood pressure.
In addition to Levobupivacaine, your doctor may prescribe certain other medications to help with pain management. This may help you get quick results and make you less prone to the side effects of other pain-relieving medicines.
