Ropivacaine (roe-PIV-a-kane)

Numbs an area of your body before, during, or after surgery or childbirth. Also used to relieve acute pain. This medicine is a local anesthetic.

Brand Name(s):

Naropin, Naropin Novaplus, PremierPro Rx Naropin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins, into your upper arm, into the head and neck area, or into the space around the spinal nerves in your lower back.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Some medicines can affect how ropivacaine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Acetaminophen, amiodarone, chloroquine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, metoclopramide, primaquine, quinine, sulfasalazine, theophylline
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Cancer medicine (including cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, rasburicase)
  • Medicine to treat an infection (including dapsone, ketoconazole, nitrofurantoin, para-aminosalicylic acid, sulfonamide)
  • Medicine to treat seizures (including phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium valproate)
  • Nitrate or nitrite medicine (including nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, low blood pressure, lung or breathing problems, a blood disorder, or G6PD.
• This medicine may cause methemoglobinemia (blood disorder).
• You may experience temporary loss of sensation and movement, usually in the lower half of your body, if you receive this medicine into your lower back (epidural).
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

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
• Lightheadedness, nervousness, restlessness, blurred or double vision, twitching
• Pale, gray, or blue lips, nails, or skin, dark urine, headache, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Ringing in the ears, seizures
• Uneven, pounding, or fast heartbeat

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

• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088