Levobupivacaine


Levobupivacaine is a local anaesthetic drug belonging to the amino amide group. It is the S-enantiomer of bupivacaine.
Levobupivacaine hydrochloride is commonly marketed by AbbVie under the trade name Chirocaine.

Clinical use

Compared to bupivacaine, levobupivacaine is associated with less vasodilation and has a longer duration of action. It is approximately 13 percent less potent than racemic bupivacaine
and has a longer motor block onset time.

Indications

Levobupivacaine is indicated for local anaesthesia including infiltration, nerve block, ophthalmic, epidural and intrathecal anaesthesia in adults; and infiltration analgesia in children.

Contraindications

Levobupivacaine is contraindicated for IV regional anaesthesia.

Adverse effects

s are rare when it is administered correctly. Most ADRs relate to administration technique or pharmacological effects of anesthesia, however allergic reactions can rarely occur.
Systemic exposure to excessive quantities of bupivacaine mainly result in central nervous system and cardiovascular effects – CVS effects usually occur at lower blood plasma concentrations and additional cardiovascular effects present at higher concentrations, though cardiovascular collapse may also occur with low concentrations. CNS effects may include CNS excitation followed by depression. Cardiovascular effects include hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmias, and/or cardiac arrest – some of which may be due to hypoxemia secondary to respiratory depression.

Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis

Levobupivacaine is toxic to cartilage and their intra-articular infusions can lead to postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis.