Abstract

LEVOBUPIVACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN 50% ENANTIOMERIC EXCESS (S75:R25). A NEW LOCAL ANESTHETIC SAFER ALTERNATIVE

*Luiz Eduardo Imbelloni, MD, PhD, André Augusto de Araujo, MD, Jaime Weslei Sakamoto, MD and Eduardo Piccinini Viana, MD

ABSTRACT

Local anesthetics are substances commonly used in clinical anesthesia, whether in spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocs with enough safety. Due to reports of complications with racemic local anesthetics, there was a search for safer and more effective anesthesia and analgesia. Thus, local anesthetics such as levobupivacaine or ropivacaine were introduced in clinical anesthesia. After the introduction of pure levogyrous anesthetics, several studies were carried out with the objective of evaluating its efficacy and superiority relative to racemic bupivacaine. The purpose of this continuing education article is to provide a review and update of essential pharmacology for the various local anesthetic formulations of bupivacaine enantiomers.

Keywords: Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, Levobupivacaine hydrochloride in 50% enantiomeric excess, Clinical uses.