What is ropivacaine?
Ropivacaine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks the nerve impulses that send pain signals to your brain.
Ropivacaine is used as a local (in only one area) anesthesia for a spinal block, also called an epidural. The medication is used to provide anesthesia during a surgery or C-section, or to ease labor pains.
Ropivacaine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ropivacaine?
You should not receive ropivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.
Before receiving ropivacaine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, or kidney disease.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as: confusion, feeling like you might pass out, problems with speech or vision, ringing in your ears, numbness or tingling around your mouth, seizure, weak or shallow breathing, fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, gasping, or feeling unusually hot.
This medication can cause numbness over a large portion of your body. Take care to avoid injury before the feeling has returned completely.
Spinal numbing medications can have long-lasting or permanent effects on certain body processes such as sexual function, bowel or bladder control, and movement or feeling in your legs or feet. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of nerve damage from ropivacaine.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving ropivacaine?
You should not receive ropivacaine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of numbing medicine.
Before receiving ropivacaine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
heart disease; or
kidney disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive ropivacaine.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.
It is not known whether ropivacaine can pass into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.