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

Numbs the gums and mouth during a dental surgery or procedure.

Brand Name(s):

Articadent Dental with Epinephrine, Orabloc

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

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.
• You should start to feel numb within a few minutes of receiving this medicine. 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.

• Some medicines can affect how articaine/epinephrine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Acetaminophen, chloroquine, metoclopramide, primaquine, quinine, sulfasalazine
  • Allergy medicine
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Cancer medicine (including cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, rasburicase)
  • Ergot medicine
  • Medicine to treat an infection (including dapsone, nitrofurantoin, para-aminosalicylic acid, sulfonamide)
  • Medicine to treat depression
  • Medicine to treat seizures (including phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium valproate)
  • Nitrate or nitrite medicine (including nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide)
  • Phenothiazine medicine (including chlorpromazine, promethazine)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, lung or breathing problems, asthma, a blood disorder, or G6PD deficiency. Tell your doctor if you have a sulfite allergy.
• This medicine may cause methemoglobinemia (blood disorder).
• Your mouth may be numb for several hours. To avoid injury after dental work, do not eat or drink until normal feeling has returned to the area. Do not test the feeling in your mouth by biting or poking the treated area.
• 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
• Bleeding, swelling, or signs of infection in your gums
• Confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness in parts of your body other than your mouth
• Pale, gray, or blue lips, nails, or skin, dark urine, headache, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Seizures or tremors
• Shallow or troubled breathing
• Unusual bruising, swollen neck glands

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

• Pain, itching, burning, or swelling where the needle is placed
• Swelling of your tongue, bad taste in your mouth

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