Levobupivacaine

Levobupivacaine

File:Levobupivacaine.png
Clinical data
Pregnancy category	AU: B3
Routes of administration	Parenteral
ATC code	N01BB10 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	n/a
Metabolism	Hepatic
Elimination half-life	2–2.6 hours
Excretion	Renal 70%, faecal 24%
Identifiers
IUPAC name (S)-1-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl) piperidine-2-carboxamide
CAS Number	27262-47-1
PubChem CID	92253
DrugBank	APRD00110
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C18H28N2O
Molar mass	288.43 g/mol

Levobupivacaine (rINN) (Template:PronEng) is a local anaesthetic drug belonging to the amino amide group. It is the S-enantiomer of bupivacaine. Levobupivacaine hydrochloride is commonly marketed by AstraZeneca under the trade name Chirocaine.

Clinical use

Compared to bupivacaine, levobupivacaine is associated with less vasodilation and has a longer duration of action. It is approximately 13 per cent less potent (by molarity) than racemic bupivacaine.

Indications

Levobupivacaine is indicated for local anaesthesia including infiltration, nerve block, ophthalmic, epidural and intrathecal anaesthesia in adults; and infiltration analgesia in children.

Contraindications

Levobupivacaine is contraindicated for IV regional anaesthesia (IVRA).

Adverse effects

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are rare when it is administered correctly. Most ADRs relate to administration technique (resulting in systemic exposure) or pharmacological effects of anesthesia, however allergic reactions can rarely occur.

Systemic exposure to excessive quantities of bupivacaine mainly result in central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular effects – CNS effects usually occur at lower blood plasma concentrations and additional cardiovascular effects present at higher concentrations, though cardiovascular collapse may also occur with low concentrations. CNS effects may include CNS excitation (nervousness, tingling around the mouth, tinnitus, tremor, dizziness, blurred vision, seizures) followed by depression (drowsiness, loss of consciousness, respiratory depression and apnea). Cardiovascular effects include hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmias, and/or cardiac arrest – some of which may be due to hypoxemia secondary to respiratory depression. (Rossi, 2006)

References

• Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2006. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2006. ISBN 0-9757919-2-3