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Marcaine for Back Pain

Marcaine, whose generic equivalent is bupivacaine, is a drug used as a local anesthetic. It is commonly used in surgical procedures such as cesarean sections and back surgeries. It works by numbing the immediate area around the injection site. Chronic back pain can be a debilitating condition for many people. There are several options for treatment, including surgery, but many patients prefer to find relief from the pain without surgery. Injecting Marcaine into the area of the back affected by pain can numb the nerves and provide temporary relief.

  1. Structure

    • Marcaine is in the amino amide group of anesthetic medications. This means it has an amino group, which is a nitrogen molecule attached to two hydrogen molecules and an amide group, which is an organic functional group consisting of an acyl group (R-C=O) linked to a nitrogen (N) molecule. The chemical formula name is 1-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)piperidine-2-carboxamide, also known as C18H28N2O.

    Lower Back

    • Marcaine is normally used as a spinal block, an anaesthesia procedure to numb the lower part of the body, but due to its numbing effect it is often used to relieve chronic lower back pain. To treat back pain, Marcaine is injected directly into the lower back near the spine. The delicate nature of the spine requires that these injections be administered precisely to not only assure they relieve the pain but also so they do not cause further harm.

    Upper Back

    • Patients experiencing chronic pain of the head and neck can find relief with a continuous infusion of Marcaine. To administer the medication, a catheter is inserted between the C1 and C2 vertebrae, which are located in the neck region. In this position the anesthetic is able to affect the seven cranial nerves to provide relief from the pain.

    Cautions

    • Marcaine can cause serious conditions if it not administered properly. This medication is indicated for use only as a local anesthetic and cannot be used systemically (meaning throughout the whole body). In the case of systemic exposure, the medication can cause problems with the central nervous system and heart.

      The central nervous system is first to be affected, resulting in nervousness, tremors or seizures. The affects on the central nervous system can depress the respiratory system causing difficulty breathing. Cardiovascular effects can include bradycardia, arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.

    Side Effects

    • Marcaine, like any anesthesia, can induce an allergic reaction. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. These are signs of an allergic reaction and call for immediate medical attention.

      Marcaine can also cause shallow breathing, fast or slow heart beat, weak pulse, tremors or fainting. Other less serious side effects may also occur, including nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness or sexual dysfunction. Marcaine can also affect various senses including causing a metallic taste, ringing in the ears and numbing or a tingling feeling around the mouth.

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