Comprehensive medication guide to Bupivacaine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50/month
Estimated Cash Pricing
$5–$40/month
Medfinder Findability Score
3/100
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Bupivacaine is a long-acting amide-type local anesthetic used to numb specific areas of the body during and after surgical procedures. It is one of the most widely used injectable anesthetics in hospitals and surgical centers worldwide.
Healthcare providers use Bupivacaine for epidural anesthesia during labor and delivery, spinal anesthesia for surgery, peripheral nerve blocks, dental procedures, and local wound infiltration. The brand-name liposomal formulation Exparel is injected directly into surgical sites for extended postoperative pain relief lasting up to 72 hours.
Because Bupivacaine is administered by injection in clinical settings, patients do not self-administer this medication at home.
0.25% injection (with and without preservative, with or without epinephrine) — injection
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0.5% injection (with and without preservative, with or without epinephrine) — injection
0.75% preservative-free injection (not for obstetrical use) — injection
0.75% in 8.25% dextrose (Marcaine Spinal
intrathecal use)
Exparel
13.3 mg/mL liposomal injectable suspension for postsurgical pain
Xaracoll
collagen matrix implant for postsurgical analgesia
Important safety warning: The 0.75% concentration is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia due to reports of cardiac arrest with difficult resuscitation. Always ensure your anesthesia team is aware of any heart conditions or allergies before receiving Bupivacaine.
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Ropivacaine (Naropin)
a similar long-acting local anesthetic with a lower risk of cardiac toxicity; the most common substitute during the Bupivacaine shortage
Lidocaine
a shorter-acting local anesthetic that is widely available; may require repeat dosing for longer procedures
Mepivacaine (Carbocaine)
an intermediate-acting option for shorter surgical and dental procedures
Chloroprocaine
an ultra-short-acting ester-type anesthetic sometimes used for spinal anesthesia when amides are unavailable
Prefer Bupivacaine? We can find it.
Other local anesthetics
moderateadditive toxicity risk; doses must be carefully calculated when using multiple agents
Potent inhalation anesthetics
moderate(Halothane, Enflurane) — increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias
MAO inhibitors
moderaterisk of severe hypertension, especially with Bupivacaine/epinephrine formulations
Ergot-type drugs
moderaterisk of severe persistent hypertension and stroke
Beta-blockers
moderate(Propranolol, Carvedilol) — may slow Bupivacaine metabolism and increase blood levels
Cimetidine
moderatereduces hepatic clearance of Bupivacaine
Anticoagulants/blood thinners
moderateincreased bleeding risk with epidural or spinal injections
Drugs causing methemoglobinemia
major(nitrates, Dapsone, Benzocaine) — combined use increases this rare but serious risk
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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