Local anesthetics are different from general anesthetics, which cause a person to fall asleep.
What Are Bupivacaine and Lidocaine?
Buvicaine and lidocaine may both be used to numb pain for medical and dental procedures.
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However, they also have several key differences.
Your healthcare provider will consider several factors when choosing the appropriate anesthetic for your procedure.
These distinctions often dictate which one is preferred in clinical scenarios.
Keep in mind that anesthesia is often not an either/or situation.
These include side effects, drug interactions, and precautions.
Bupivacaine takes a little longer than lidocaine to kick in and lasts longer.
It is ideal for controlling pain for an extended period but is more likely to cause toxicity.
Lidocaine starts acting quickly and also wears off faster than bupivacaine.
Both medicines have common side effects, including numbness, dizziness, and slowed speech.
Rare but serious side effects include seizures, shallow breathing, and slow heart rate.
Local anesthetics can interact with other medicines that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.
Additionally, lidocaine and bupivacaine may be combined with epinephrine, which can interact with some antidepressants.
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