Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHIROCAINE versus NESACAINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHIROCAINE versus NESACAINE.
CHIROCAINE vs NESACAINE
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.
Nesacaine (chloroprocaine) is an ester-type local anesthetic that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels in neuronal membranes, inhibiting the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses.
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.
Injectable local anesthetic: 1% or 2% solution, maximum dose 7 mg/kg (not to exceed 500 mg) with epinephrine, 4.5 mg/kg (not to exceed 300 mg) without epinephrine. Administer by infiltration or nerve block; may repeat at 30-minute intervals.
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 half-life: 40-60 minutes (rapidly metabolized by plasma pseudocholinesterase); clinical context: prolonged with hepatic dysfunction or atypical pseudocholinesterase
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: 90-95% as unchanged drug and metabolites (predominantly 4-hydroxypropycaine); biliary/fecal: <5%
Category C
Category C
Local Anesthetic
Local Anesthetic