Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHIROCAINE versus LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE 0 4 IN DEXTROSE 5.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHIROCAINE versus LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE 0 4 IN DEXTROSE 5.
CHIROCAINE vs LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE 0.4% IN DEXTROSE 5%
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Chirocaine (levobupivacaine) is a long-acting local anesthetic of the amide type. It blocks sodium channels, inhibiting nerve impulse initiation and conduction, thereby producing local anesthesia.
Lidocaine is a class IB antiarrhythmic agent that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, inhibiting phase 0 depolarization and decreasing automaticity in ventricular myocardial cells. It also has local anesthetic properties by blocking nerve impulse conduction.
0.5% to 0.75% solution; epidural: 10-20 mL of 0.5% solution (50-100 mg) as initial dose; for surgical anesthesia, 15-20 mL of 0.75% solution (112.5-150 mg); repeat doses of 0.25% to 0.5% solution at 40-60 minute intervals as needed. Maximum single dose: 225 mg.
Intravenous infusion: 1-4 mg/min (0.25-1 mL/min of 0.4% solution) after a loading dose of 1-1.5 mg/kg IV bolus for ventricular arrhythmias. Maximum total dose: 3 mg/kg.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 0.5–1.5 hours (adults) and 1–2 hours (neonates). Clinically, this short half-life limits accumulation with repeated doses.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 1.5-2 hours (mean 1.8 h) in healthy adults. In patients with hepatic impairment or heart failure, half-life may be prolonged to >3 hours. In neonates, half-life can be 3-6 hours.
Renal excretion accounts for approximately 95% of the dose, with most being eliminated as metabolites (mainly p-aminobenzoic acid and other conjugates) and less than 5% as unchanged drug. Biliary/fecal excretion is minimal (<5%).
Renal excretion of metabolites (primarily monoethylglycinexylidide and glycinexylidide) accounts for >90% of elimination. Less than 10% excreted unchanged in urine. Biliary/fecal excretion is negligible.
Category C
Category A/B
Local Anesthetic
Local Anesthetic / Antiarrhythmic (Class Ib)