Indication: For the production of local or regional anesthesia for surgery and obstetrics, and for post-operative pain management
Pharmacology: Levobupivacaine, a local anesthetic agent, is indicated for the production of local or regional anesthesia or analgesia for surgery, for oral surgery procedures, for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and for obstetrical procedures.
Mechanism Of Action: Local anesthetics such as Levobupivacaine block the generation and the conduction of nerve impulses, presumably by increasing the threshold for electrical excitation in the nerve, by slowing the propagation of the nerve impulse, and by reducing the rate of rise of the action potential. In general, the progression of anesthesia is related to the diameter, myelination and conduction velocity of affected nerve fibers.
Drug Category: Anesthetics; ATC:N01BB10
Brand Names/Synonyms: Chirocaine; Levobupivacaine
Dosage Forms: Not Available
Absorption: Not Available
Interactions:
DrugBank: Interactions for Levobupivacaine
Interactions for Levobupivacaine:
Chirocaine ® should be used with caution in patients receiving other local anesthetics or agents
structurally related to amide-type local anesthetics since the toxic effects of these drugs could be additive. In
vitro studies indicate CYP3A4 isoform and CYP1A2 isoform mediate the metabolism of levobupivacaine to desbutyl
levobupivacaine and 3-hydroxy levobupivacaine, respectively. Thus agents likely to be concomitantly administered with
Chirocaine that are metabolized by this isoenzyme family may potentially interact with Chirocaine. Although no
clinical studies have been conducted, it is likely that the metabolism of levobupivacaine may be affected by the
known CYP3A4 inducers (such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin), CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antimycotics e.g.,
ketoconazole; certain protease inhibitors e.g., ritanovir; macrolide antibiotics e.g., erythromycin; and calcium
channel antagonists e.g., verapamil), CYP1A2 inducers (omeprazole) and CYP1A2 inhibitors (furafylline and
clarithromycin). Dosage adjustment may be warranted when levobupivacaine is concurrently administered with CYP3A4
inhibitors and CYP1A2 inhibitors as systemic levobupivacaine levels may rise resulting in toxicity.
Chemical IUPAC Name: 1-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-piperidine-2-carboxamide
