bupivacaine

American  

[byoo-piv-uh-keyn] / byuˈpɪv əˌkeɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline powder, C 18 H 28 N 2 O, used as a local anesthetic.

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bupivacaine British  

/ bjuːˈpɪvəkeɪn /

noun

1. a local anaesthetic of long duration, used for nerve blocks

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Etymology

Origin of bupivacaine

Perhaps bu(tyl) + pi(pecoloxylidide) its chemical components + -vacaine, irregular for (No)vocain ( def. ); procaine

Example Sentences

An autopsy found that she died from a lethal dose of bupivacaine, a nerve-blocking drug that is rarely abused but often is used when an anesthetic is given.

From Seattle Times

Chemical analysis of the fluid from a saline bag used during his surgery revealed the presence of bupivacaine, the stimulant epinephrine and the topical anesthetic lidocaine, drugs that could have caused the patient’s sudden symptoms, according to prosecutors.

From Seattle Times

Dr. Ruth Landau, director of obstetric anesthesia at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, says maternity wards for months have faced a critical shortage of the fast-acting version of bupivacaine.

From Washington Times

Anesthesiologists sometimes have had to use a slower-acting bupivacaine version, which may delay delivery and could harm mother or baby.

From Washington Times

Hospitals also are grappling with shortages of regional anesthesia - local injections of lidocaine, bupivacaine and a third painkiller standard for eye surgery, orthopedic procedures and knee and hip replacements.

From Washington Times