lidocaine hydrochloride and epinephrine injection, USP Dosage and Administration

2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information

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Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection is not recommended for intrathecal use.

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Avoid use of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine solutions containing antimicrobial preservatives (i.e., multiple-dose vials) for epidural or caudal anesthesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

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Discard unused portions of solution not containing preservatives, i.e., those supplied in single-dose vials, following initial use.

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Visually inspect this product for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injections are clear, colorless to slightly yellow solutions. Do not administer solutions which are discolored or contain particulate matter.

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Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever the solution and container permit. Solutions which are discolored (e.g., pinkish or darker than slightly yellow) or which contain particulate matter or precipitate should not be administered.

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Mixing or the prior or intercurrent use of any other local anesthetic with Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection is not recommended because of insufficient data on the clinical use of such mixtures.

Administration Precautions

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Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection is to be administered in carefully adjusted dosages by or under the supervision of experienced clinicians who are well versed in the diagnosis and management of dose-related toxicity and other acute emergencies which might arise from the block to be employed.

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Use Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection only if the following are immediately available: oxygen, cardiopulmonary resuscitative equipment and drugs, and the personnel resources needed for proper management of toxic reactions and related emergencies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6), Overdosage (10)].

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The toxic effects of local anesthetics are additive. Monitor for neurologic and cardiovascular effects related to local anesthetic systemic toxicity when additional local anesthetics are administered with Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Drug Interactions (7.1), Overdosage (10)].

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Aspirate for blood or cerebrospinal fluid (where applicable) prior to injecting Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection, both the initial dose and all subsequent doses, to avoid intravascular or intrathecal injection. However, a negative aspiration for blood or cerebrospinal fluid does not ensure against an intravascular or intrathecal injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

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Avoid rapid injection of a large volume of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection and use fractional (incremental) doses when feasible.

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During major regional nerve blocks, such as those of the brachial plexus or lower extremity, the patient should have an indwelling intravenous catheter to assure adequate intravenous access. The lowest dosage of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection that results in effective anesthesia should be used to avoid high plasma levels and serious adverse reactions.

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Perform careful and constant monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory (adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation) vital signs and the patient’s level of consciousness after each local anesthetic injection.

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Use Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection in carefully restricted quantities in areas of the body supplied by end arteries or having otherwise compromised blood supply such as digits, nose, external ear, or penis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

2.2 Recommended Concentrations and Dosages of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection/Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection (without Epinephrine) in Adults

The dosage of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection administered varies with the anesthetic procedure, the area to be anesthetized, the vascularity of the tissues, the number of neuronal segments to be blocked, the depth of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation required, the duration of anesthesia desired, individual tolerance, and the physical condition of the patient. Administer the smallest dosage and concentration required to produce the desired result.

The types of block and recommended Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection (without epinephrine) concentrations are shown in Table 1. The dosages suggested in this table are for normal healthy adults and refer to the use of epinephrine-free solutions. Consider administration of solutions containing epinephrine when large volumes are required.

The above suggested concentrations and volumes serve only as a guide. Other volumes and concentrations may be used provided the total maximum recommended dose is not exceeded [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].

These recommended doses serve only as a guide to the amount of local anesthetic required for most indicated procedures. The actual volumes and concentrations to be used depend on a number of factors such as type and extent of surgical procedure, depth of anesthesia and degree of muscular relaxation required, duration of anesthesia required, and the physical condition of the patient. In all cases, the lowest concentration and smallest dose that will produce the desired result should be given. The maximum dosage limit within the recommended dosage range must be individualized in each case after evaluating the size and physical status of the patient, as well as the anticipated rate of systemic absorption from a particular injection site.

2.3 Use in Epidural Anesthesia

During the administration of epidural anesthesia, it is recommended that a test dose of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection without antimicrobial preservative (1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine) be administered initially and the effects monitored before the full dose is given. When using a “continuous” catheter technique, test doses should be given prior to both the initial and all supplemental doses, because a catheter in the epidural space can migrate into a blood vessel or through the dura [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

During epidural administration, administer Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection, 1.5% (15 mg/mL) and 2% (20 mg/mL) solutions in incremental doses of 3 mL to 5 mL with sufficient time between doses to detect toxic manifestations of unintentional intravascular or intrathecal injection. Administer injections slowly, with frequent aspirations before and during the injection to avoid intravascular injection. Perform syringe aspirations before and during each supplemental injection in continuous (intermittent) catheter techniques. Repeat doses of lidocaine should be preceded by a test dose containing epinephrine if not clinically contraindicated. Use only the single-dose vials for caudal or epidural anesthesia; avoid use of the multiple-dose vials for these procedures, which contain a preservative [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.4), Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

2.4 Test Dose for Epidural Blocks

In the event of the known injection of a large volume of local anesthetic solution into the subarachnoid space, after suitable resuscitation and if the catheter is in place, consider attempting the recovery of drug by draining a moderate amount of cerebrospinal fluid (such as 10 mL) through the epidural catheter.

Three mL of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection without antimicrobial preservative (1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine) is recommended for use as a test dose prior to caudal and lumbar epidural blocks when clinical conditions permit. This test dose may serve as a warning of unintended intravascular or intrathecal injection. Closely monitor for early clinical signs of toxicity following each test dose [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. Allot adequate time for onset of spinal block to detect possible intrathecal injection. An intravascular or intrathecal injection is still possible even if results of the test dose are negative. The test dose itself may produce a systemic toxic reaction, high spinal, or cardiovascular effects from the epinephrine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Overdosage (10)].

2.5 Maximum Recommended Dosage

Adults

For normal healthy adults, the individual maximum recommended dose of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection should not exceed 7 mg/kg of body weight, and in general it is recommended that the maximum total dose not exceed 500 mg. When used without epinephrine, the maximum individual dose should not exceed 4.5 mg/kg of body weight, and in general it is recommended that the maximum total dose does not exceed 300 mg. For continuous epidural or caudal anesthesia, the maximum recommended dosage should not be administered at intervals of less than 90 minutes. When continuous lumbar or caudal epidural anesthesia is used for non-obstetrical procedures, a higher total dose may be administered if required to produce adequate anesthesia.

The maximum recommended dose per 90 minute period of lidocaine hydrochloride for paracervical block in obstetrical patients and non-obstetrical patients is 200 mg total. One half of the total dose is usually administered to each side. Inject slowly, five minutes between sides [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Pediatric Patients

A maximum dose of Lidocaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Injection for children varies based on age and weight. For children over 3 years of age with a normal lean body mass and normal body development, the maximum dose is determined by the child’s age and weight. For example, in a child of 5 years weighing approximately 23 kg, the dose of lidocaine hydrochloride should not exceed approximately 75 mg to 100 mg (3.3 mg/kg to 4.4 mg/kg). The use of dilute solutions (i.e., 0.25% to 0.5%) and total dosages not to exceed 3 mg/kg are recommended for induction of intravenous regional anesthesia in children.

The lowest effective concentration and lowest effective dose should be used. Dilution of available concentrations with 0.9% sodium chloride injection may be required to obtain the required final concentration.