4.1. Therapeutic indications

Bupivacaine Heavy is indicated in adults and children of all ages for intrathecal spinal anaesthesia

- for urological or lower limbs surgery, including hip surgery lasting 1.5 to 3 hours

- for lower abdominal surgery (including caesarean section) lasting 1.5 to 3 hours

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

The clinician's experience and knowledge of the patient's physical status are of importance in calculating the required dose. The lowest dose required for adequate anaesthesia should be used. Individual variations in onset and duration occur, and the extent of the spread of anaesthesia may be difficult to predict, but will be affected by the volume of the drug used, especially with the isobaric (plain) solution.

Adults and children above 12 years of age

The doses recommended below should be regarded as a guide for use in the average adult.

The dose should be reduced in the elderly and in patients in the late stages of pregnancy (see section 4.4).

Dosage recommendations

Indication: Intervention in the lower extremities, including hip surgery

Dose: 2 – 4 ml (10 – 20 mg)

Time to onset of action: 5-8 min

Duration: 1.5 – 3 hours

Indication: Lower abdominal surgery (including caesarean section)

Dose: 2 – 4 ml (10 – 20 mg)

Time to onset of action: 5-8 min

Duration: (1.5 – 3h)

Indication: Urology surgery

Dose: 1.5 – 3.0 ml (7.5 – 15 mg)

Time to onset of action: 5-8 min

Duration: 2 – 3 hours

There is no experience with administration of doses higher than 4 ml/20 mg of Bupivacaine Heavy (see section 4.4).

Paediatric population

One of the differences between small children and adults is a relatively high CSF volume in infants and neonates, requiring a relatively larger dose/kg to produce the same level of block compared to adults. Small children have less nerve myelination, which facilitates diffusion and thus results in a faster anaesthesia effect.

Paediatric regional anaesthesia procedures should be performed by qualified clinicians who are familiar with this population and the techniques.

The doses in the table should be regarded as guidelines for use in paediatric patients. Individual variations occur. Standard textbooks should be consulted for factors affecting specific block technique and for individual patient requirements. The lowest dose required for adequate anaesthesia should be used.

Dosage recommendations in neonates, infants and children up to 40 kg

Body weight

(kg)

Dose (mg/kg)

<5 kg

0.40-0.50

mg/kg

5-15 kg

0.30-0.40

mg/kg

15-40 kg

0.25-0.30

mg/kg

Method of administration

For intrathecal use only

The spread of anaesthesia obtained with bupivacaine Heavy depends on several factors including the volume of solution and the position of the patient during and following the injection.

When injected at the L3–L4 intervertebral space, with the patient in the sitting position, 3 ml of Bupivacain Heavy spreads to the T7–T10 spinal segments.

With the patient receiving the injection in the horizontal position and then turned supine, the blockade spreads to T4–T7 spinal segments. It should be understood that the level of spinal anaesthesia achieved with any local anaesthetic can be unpredictable in a given patient.

The recommended site of injection is below L3.

If the anaesthesia appears inadequate, a change in patient position within twenty minutes of the injection may improve the distribution of the local anaesthetic agent within the subarachnoid space e.g. Trendelenberg or right/left tilt.

If the anaesthesia fails, a fresh attempt can be made to administer the anaesthetic agent at a different level of the spinal cord, using a smaller volume of the medicinal product.

4.3. Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Hypersensitivity to local anaesthetics of the amide type.

General contraindications related to intrathecal anaesthesia should be taken into account:

• Acute active diseases of the cerebrospinal system such as meningitis, tumours, poliomyelitis and cranial haemorrhage.

• Spinal stenosis and active disease (e.g. spondylitis, tuberculosis, tumour) or recent trauma (e.g. facture) in the vertebral column.

• Septicaemia.

• Pernicious anaemia with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.

• Pyogenic infection of the skin at or adjacent to the site of puncture.

• Cardiogenic or hypovolaemic shock.

• Coagulation disorders or ongoing anti-coagulation treatment.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Bupivacaine should not be injected into inflamed or infected areas.

Intrathecal anaesthesia should only be undertaken by clinicians with the necessary knowledge and experience.

Regional anaesthetic procedures should always be performed in a properly equipped and staffed area. Resuscitative equipment and drugs should be immediately available and the anaesthetist should remain in constant attendance.

Intravenous access, e.g. an i.v. infusion, should be in place before starting the intrathecal anaesthesia.

The clinician responsible should take the necessary precautions to avoid intravascular injection and be appropriately trained and familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of side effects, systemic toxicity and other complications. If signs of acute systemic toxicity or total spinal block appear, injection of the local anaesthetic should be stopped immediately, see sections 4.8 & 4.9).

Patients in poor general condition due to ageing or other compromising factors such as partial or complete heart conduction block, advanced liver or renal dysfunction require special attention, although regional anaesthesia may be the optimal choice for surgery in these patients.

Patients treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs class III (e.g. amiodarone) should be kept under close surveillance and ECG monitoring considered, since cardiac effects may be additive. (See section 4.5)

Like all local anaesthetic drugs, bupivacaine may cause acute toxicity effects on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, if utilised for local anaesthetic procedures resulting in high blood concentrations of the drug.

This is especially the case after unintentional intravascular administration or injection into highly vascular areas.

Ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, sudden cardiovascular collapse and death have been reported in connection with high systemic concentrations of bupivacaine. Should cardiac arrest occur, a successful outcome may require prolonged resuscitative efforts. High systemic concentrations are not expected with doses normally used for intrathecal anaesthesia.

An uncommon but dangerous side effect in spinal anaesthesia is extensive or total spinal blockade, which results in cardiovascular depression and respiratory depression.

The cardiovascular depression is caused by sympathetic blockade, which can result in hypotension and bradycardia, or even cardiac arrest.

Respiratory depression can be caused by blockade of the innervation of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm.

There is an increased risk of high or total spinal blockade, resulting in cardiovascular and respiratory depression, in the elderly and in patients in the late stages of pregnancy. The dose should therefore be reduced in these patients.

Neurological injury is a rare consequence of intrathecal anaesthesia and may result in paraesthesia, anaesthesia, motor weakness and paralysis. Occasionally these are permanent.

Neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, hemiplegia, paraplegia and neuromuscular disturbances are not thought to be adversely affected by intrathecal anaesthesia, but caution should be exercised.

Patients with hypovolaemia due to any cause can develop sudden and severe hypotension during intrathecal anaesthesia.

Intrathecal anaesthesia with any local anaesthetic can cause hypotension and bradycardia which should be anticipated and appropriate precautions taken. Vasopressors should be used routinely and preferably prophylactically. It is recommended that alpha-agonist drugs are the most appropriate agents. Furthermore, I.V. colloid preloading or crystalloid co-loading should be used in addition to vasopressors.. Severe hypotension may result from hypovolaemia due to haemorrhage or dehydration, or aorto-caval occlusion in patients with massive ascites, large abdominal tumours or large uterus in the late stage of pregnancy. Hypotension due to hypovolemia should be treated with intravenous fluid therapy according to current guidelines. Marked hypotension should be avoided in patients with cardiac decompensation or cerebrovascular disease.

Intrathecal anaesthesia can cause intercostal paralysis and patients with pleural effusions may suffer respiratory embarrassment. Septicaemia can increase the risk of intraspinal abscess formation in the postoperative period.

If the sue of regional analgesia is indicated for patients with angina pectoris or previous myocardial infarction, epidural analgesia is often preferred where severe hypotension can be more easily counteracted due to the longer duration of the attack. Alternatively, spinal analgesia can be administered via a subarachnoid catheter which allows for a gradual accumulation of analgesia Before treatment is instituted, consideration should be taken if the benefits outweigh the possible risks for the patient.

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per ampoule, That is to say essentially “sodium-free”.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Bupivacaine should be used with caution in patients receiving other local anaesthetics or drugs that are structurally similar to amide-type local anaesthetics, i.e. anti-arrhythmic drugs such as lidocaine, mexiletine and tocainide, as the toxic effects are additive.

Cimetidine reduces the clearance of bupivacaine with a reduction in dosage as a possible consequence.

Using bupivacaine and verapamil at the same time may result in an increased risk of a heart blockage.

Using bupivacaine and propofol at the same time may increase the hypnotic effect of the propofol.

Using bupivacaine and ACE inhibitors at the same time may result in bradycardia and hypotension with impairment of consciousness as a consequence.

No specific interaction studies with bupivacaine and class III antiarrhythmic drugs have been carried out, but caution is recommended (See also section 4.4).

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

It is reasonable to assume that a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age have been given bupivacaine.

No specific disturbances to the reproductive process have so far been reported, e.g. no increased incidence of malformations (See also section 5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties).

However, note that the dose should be reduced by 20-30% for patients in the late stages of pregnancy due to the risk of neonatal respiratory depression, hypotension and bradycardia. (See also section 4.4).

Bupivacaine transfers across to the placenta. Although the concentration of bupivacaine in the umbilical cord are lower than in the mother´s serum concentrations, the free bupivacaine concentrations will remain the same.

Breast-feeding

Bupivacaine enters in the mother's milk, but such small quantities that there is generally no risk of affecting the child at therapeutic dose levels.

Fertility

No human data on the effect of Bupivacaine on fertility are available.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Bupivacaine has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Besides the direct anaesthetic effect, local anaesthetics may have a very mild effect on mental function and co-ordination even in the absence of overt CNS toxicity and may temporarily impair locomotion and alertness.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The adverse reaction profile for Bupivacaine is similar to those for other long- acting local anaesthetics administered intrathecally.

Undesirable effects caused by the product per se are difficult to distinguish from the physiological effects of the nerve block (e.g. decrease in blood pressure, bradycardia, temporary urinary retention), events caused directly (e.g. spinal haematoma) or indirectly (e.g. meningitis, epidural abcess) by needle puncture or events associated to cerebrospinal leakage (e.g. postdural puncture headache).

System Organ Class

Very Common

(>1/10)

Common

(>1/100, <1/10)

Uncommon

(>1/1,000, <1/100)

Rare

(<1/1,000)

Cardiac disorders

Hypotension, bradycardia

Cardiac arrest

Gastrointestinal disorders

Nausea

Vomiting

Nervous system disorders

Postdural puncture headache

Paraesthesia, paresis, dysaesthesia

Total spinal block (unintentional), paraplegia, paralysis, neuropathy, arachnoiditis

Renal and urinary disorders

Urinary retention, urinary incontinence

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Muscle weakness, back pain

Immune system disorders

Allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock

Respiratory disorders

Respiratory depression

Paediatric population

Adverse drug reactions in children are similar to those in adults, however, in children, early signs of local anaesthetic toxicity may be difficult to detect in cases where the block is given during sedation or general anaesthesia

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms of overdosing are: Hypotension. Bradycardia. Arrhythmia. CNS problems.

Acute systemic toxicity:

Bupivacaine, used as recommended, is not likely to cause blood levels high enough to cause systemic toxicity. However, if other local anaesthetics are concomitantly administered, toxic effects are additive and may cause systemic toxic reactions.

Systemic toxicity is rarely associated with spinal anaesthesia but might occur after accidental intravascular injection. Systemic adverse reactions are characterised by numbness of the tongue, light-headedness, dizziness and tremors, followed by convulsions and cardiovascular disorders.

Treatment of acute systemic toxicity:

If indications of acute systemic toxicity or total spinal blockade appear, injection of the local anaesthetic must be discontinued immediately, and neurological symptoms (convulsions, CNS depression) must be treated immediately and adequate ventilation must be ensured (free airways, oxygen, intubation if needed and controlled ventilation)

If the circulatory system collapses, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be started immediately. An optimal supply of oxygen, ventilation, stabilization of the circulatory system and treatment of acidosis are vitally important. Standard cardiac arrests drugs (e.g. adrenaline) should be given according to ALS guidelines. The use of intravenous 20% lipid emulsion should be considered. Cardiac arrest due to bupivacaine can be resistant to electrical defibrillation and resuscitation must be continued energetically for a prolonged period.

If cardiovascular depression (hypotension, bradycardia) occurs, a vasopressor (preferably with an inotropic effect) should be given, such as ephedrine 5-10 mg i.v. and if necessary this dosage should be repeated after 2-3 minutes. It may also be necessary to inject liquid intravenously. The ephedrine dosage for children should be adjusted according to height and weight.

If convulsions caused by systemic toxicity occur, the objective of treatment is to maintain the oxygen supply, stop the convulsions and ease the circulation. Oxygen should be given and ventilation via support (bag mask ventilation or tracheal intubation). If the convulsions attacks do not stop spontaneously within 15-20 seconds, an anti-convulsive treatment should be administered intravenously.

Prolonged cramping may endanger the patient´s breathing and oxygen supply. Endotracheal intubation should be considered in these cases.