Uses

Used as a local anesthetic agent in dental and minor surgical procedures. Mepivacaine provides regional nerve block analgesia while adrenaline (epinephrine) acts as a vasoconstrictor to prolong anesthetic duration and reduce systemic absorption.

Do not use if

Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to amide-type local anesthetics or sulfites. Use with extreme caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or hyperthyroidism (due to the epinephrine component).

Side effects

Local: pain at injection site, hematoma. Systemic: tachycardia, palpitations, hypertension (from adrenaline), dizziness, tremor, or CNS excitation. Rare: severe allergic reactions or local anesthetic systemic toxicity.

Warnings

Aspirate before injection to avoid intravascular injection. Use minimum effective dose in patients with cardiovascular disease, elderly patients, or those on MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Resuscitation equipment should be available.

How it works

Mepivacaine is an amide local anesthetic that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, preventing depolarization and propagation of nerve impulses. Adrenaline (epinephrine) stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors causing local vasoconstriction, which slows drug absorption, prolongs the anesthetic effect, and reduces bleeding in the operative field.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 15°C and 25°C, protected from light. Do not freeze. Discard if solution becomes discolored.