Articaine and epinephrine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks the nerve impulses
that send pain signals to your brain.
Articaine and epinephrine is used as an anesthetic for dental procedures.
Articaine and epinephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking articaine and epinephrine?
You should not receive articaine and epinephrine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
any type of numbing medicine.
Before receiving articaine and epinephrine, tell your dentist if you are allergic to any drugs, or if
you have:
low or high blood pressure;
asthma or a sulfite allergy; or
a history of seizures.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an
unborn baby. Before you receive articaine and epinephrine, tell your dentist if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether articaine and epinephrine passes into breast or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Before you receive articaine and epinephrine, tell your dentist if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take articaine and epinephrine?
Articaine and epinephrine is given as an injection that is usually placed into the gum area inside
your mouth. You will receive this injection in a dentist's office or oral surgical setting.
What happens if I miss a dose of articaine and epinephrine?
Since articaine and epinephrine is given as needed before a dental procedure, you are not likely
to be on a dosing schedule.
Where can I get more information about articaine and epinephrine?
Your pharmacist has information about articaine and epinephrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of articaine and epinephrine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling or puffiness of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
weak or shallow breathing;
slow heart rate, weak pulse;
feeling like you might pass out;
swelling in your face;
swollen or bleeding gums;
anxiety, confusion, restless feeling, tremors or shaking;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about articaine and epinephrine?
You should not receive articaine and epinephrine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to
any type of numbing medicine.
Before receiving this medication, tell your dentist if you have high or low blood pressure, asthma
or a sulfite allergy, or a history of seizures.
This medication can cause numbness for an extended period of time. Avoid eating, chewing
gum, or drinking hot liquids until the feeling in your mouth has returned completely. Chewing while your
mouth is numb could result in a bite injury to your tongue, lips, or inside of your cheek.
What should I avoid while taking articaine and epinephrine?
This medication can cause numbness for an extended period of time. Avoid eating, chewing
gum, or drinking hot liquids until the feeling in your mouth has returned completely. Chewing while your
mouth is numb could result in a bite injury to your tongue, lips, or inside of your cheek.
What other drugs will affect articaine and epinephrine?
Before receiving articaine and epinephrine, tell your dentist if you are using any of the following
drugs:
cold medicine, diet pills, stimulants, or medication to treat ADHD;
medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder (Haldol, Inapsine,
Thorazine, Prolixin, Serentil, Mellaril, and others);
medication to treat nausea and vomiting, such as
Compazine or Motillium; or
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
articaine and epinephrine. Tell your dentist about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
What happens if I have an overdose of articaine and epinephrine?
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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009