Articaine with epinephrine (Injection)

Introduction:

Articaine (AT-ti-kane), Epinephrine (ep-i-NEF-rin)

Given as an injection to numb the gums and mouth during a dental surgery or procedure.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to articaine or epinephrine, or to other numbing medicines such as lidocaine, procaine, Carbocaine®, Marcaine®, Novacaine®, or Sensorcaine®.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

  • Your dentist will inject this medicine through a needle placed into your gum, usually near the underside of your tongue. Before you receive the injection, a numbing gel may be rubbed onto the gum to make the injection more comfortable.
  • After receiving the injection, you should start to feel numb within a few minutes. Tell your dentist if you still have feeling in your mouth just before the procedure begins.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using an MAO inhibitor such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®. Tell your doctor if you use medicine for depression such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®.
  • Your doctor should also know if you use Allegra®, Haldol®, Inapsine®, or a phenothiazine medicine such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or problems with your blood circulation.
  • Your doctor should know if you have any type of active or recent illness.
  • Tell your doctor if you have asthma or are allergic to sulfites.
  • This medicine may numb your gums, tongue, lips, and cheek. You may not have feeling in your mouth for several hours following your surgery or procedure. Be careful when chewing or drinking until feeling has returned. You may accidentally injure the inside of your mouth if you eat or drink while you are still numb.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Bleeding, swelling, or signs of infection in your gums.
  • Confusion, lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats.
  • Numbness in parts of your body other than your mouth.
  • Seizure.
  • Shallow breathing.
  • Unusual bruising, swollen glands in your neck.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Headache, ear pain.
  • Increased thirst, tiredness.
  • Neck or back pain, joint or muscle pain.
  • Runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.
  • Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
  • Stomach pain, vomiting.
  • Swelling of your tongue, bad taste in your mouth.
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