tetracaine injection

What is the most important information I should know about tetracaine?

What is tetracaine?

Tetracaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medicine). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Tetracaine injection is given as an epidural injection into the spinal column to produce numbness during labor, surgery, or certain medical procedures.

Tetracaine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving tetracaine?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high blood pressure;
• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;
• any type of infection;
• hereditary angioedema or allergic reactions; or
• a disease or medical condition that affects your brain or spinal cord.

Unless you are receiving this medicine during labor and delivery, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

How is tetracaine given?

Tetracaine is given as an injection through a needle placed into an area of your middle or lower back near your spine. You will receive this injection in a hospital setting.

Spinal numbing medicines can have long-lasting effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about these effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since tetracaine is given as needed before a surgery or other medical procedure, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving tetracaine?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of tetracaine?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• tremors, severe drowsiness;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• severe headache, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light; or
• numbness, tingling, burning pain, or severe shooting pains anywhere in your body.

Common side effects may include:

• feeling nervous or excited;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• chills;
• headache;
• blurred vision;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect tetracaine?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP or SMZ-TMP, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect tetracaine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about tetracaine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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