Only preservative free medicines may be used for nerve blocks.
Lidocaine has a faster onset of action than bupivacaine, but a shorter duration of action.
- Lidocaine 1% or 2%.
- Higher concentrations cause more pain on injection.
- Maximum dose: 3 mg/kg.
- Lidocaine 2% plus adrenaline.
- Not to be used in areas supplied by an end-artery e.g. finger, ear, penis.
- Maximum dose: 7 mg/kg.
- Bupivacaine 0.5%
- Not be used in mucosal areas as risk of systemic toxicity.
- Maximum dose: 2 mg/kg.