Tetracaine (By injection)

Find

Learn More

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

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

Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat an infection (antibiotics) such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Cotrim®, or Septra®.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

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

Introduction

Tetracaine (TE-tra-kane)

Causes numbness or loss of feeling in an area of your body. Given before and during surgery, childbirth, or other procedures. This medicine is a type of anesthesia.

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
Fainting or seizures.
Headache, stiff neck, or tremors.
Redness, pain, or swelling where the shot was given.
Severe anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, drowsiness, or dizziness.
Tingling in your hands or feet.
Unusually fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.

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

Blurred vision or ringing in your ears.
Mild dizziness or drowsiness.
Nausea, vomiting, or chills.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are sensitive to sulfites. Tell your doctor if you have asthma or heart rhythm problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had a bad reaction to local anesthetics (numbing medicines) in the past, or if you have any other medical conditions.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tetracaine or aminobenzoic acid. You might not be able to use this medicine if you have a condition that prevents you from receiving anesthesia in your spine, such as very low blood pressure or certain types of infection.

Review Date: 7/4/2018
Reviewed By:

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 9-1-1 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only—they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.