Tetracaine

Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal Anesthesia High, median, low & saddle: 0.2%-0.3% solution For perineum: 5 mg/dose For lower extremities: 10 mg/dose For saddle block: 2-5 mg/dose Prolonged (2-3 hours): 1% solution For spinal: 1% solution diluted 1:1 in CSF, administered at 1 mL per 5 seconds Doses of >15 mg are rarely required, and should only be used in exceptional cases

Hypersensitivity to aminobenzoic acid, sulfites, parabens, or any components of preparation Spinal anesthesia

Use preservative-free preparations for spinal or epidural anesthesia Some formulations may contain sulfites Use caution in decreased levels of plasma esterases, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease (heart block, rhythm disturbances, shock) Use caution in the elderly, debilitated patients, obstetrics, or patients with intraabdominal pressure DO NOT use solutions with epinephrine in distal areas of body (eg, digit, nose, ear, etc) Addition of vasoconstrictor, epinephrine, will promote local hemostasis, decrease systemic absorption, and increase duration of action

C Pregnancy Category: C Lactation: Not known if excreted in breast milk; use caution

Frequency Not Defined Anxiety Restlessness Nervousness Dizziness Blurred vision Conjunctival redness Lacrimation Photophobia Tremors Twitching Drowsiness Unconsciousness Respiratory arrest Nausea/vomiting Chills Tinnitus Myocardial depression Hypotension Cardiac arrest Tremors Anaphylactoid reactions (sometimes fatal)

Local anesthetics prevent generation/conduction of nerve impulses by reducing sodium permeability & increasing action potential threshold