Uses

Ropivacaine is commonly used to relieve pain during or after surgery. It is used as either a local anesthetic or a nerve block to numb part of your body. It is also used in epidurals for pain relief during labor or a cesarean section (C-section).

Ropivacaine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does ropivacaine work (mechanism of action)?

Ropivacaine works by temporarily blocking nerve signals that cause you to feel pain.

How is ropivacaine supplied (dosage forms)?

Ropivacaine is available as Naropin and generic ropivacaine in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store ropivacaine?

Ropivacaine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ropivacaine?

The most common side effects of ropivacaine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Fever
  • Pain, such as back pain
  • Complications after surgery
  • Anemia (low levels of red blood cells)
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning in your arms, feet, or face
  • Headache
  • Itching

There may be other side effects of ropivacaine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ropivacaine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ropivacaine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ropivacaine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Whole-Body Reaction to Local Anesthesia. Ropivacaine may rarely cause a whole-body (systemic) reaction that affects your heart and brain (central nervous system). Some people may have a higher risk of this, including those with heart, liver, or kidney problems. Your healthcare provider will monitor your heart and breathing when you receive ropivacaine. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Drowsiness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Confusion
  • Restlessness or anxiety
  • Trouble speaking
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
  • Tingling or numbness of your mouth and lips
  • A metallic taste in your mouth
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Blurred vision
  • Tremors
  • Loss of consciousness

Methemoglobinemia. Ropivacaine can cause a serious blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. Hemoglobin is a protein that normally carries oxygen in your blood. Methemoglobinemia is when you have too much of a form of hemoglobin called methemoglobin. If you have methemoglobinemia, it is harder for your body to deliver oxygen to your tissues. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of  methemoglobinemia.

  • Changes in the color of your skin, including pale, gray, or blue colored skin (cyanosis)
  • Headache
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Tiredness or weakness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ropivacaine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use ropivacaine.

  • Ropivacaine
  • Naropin
  • Any other medicine known as an amide anesthetic
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your healthcare provider can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ropivacaine products they stock.

What should I know about ropivacaine before using it?

Ropivacaine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic.

Ropivacaine may cause you to temporarily lose sensation or the ability to move your body in the area it was used. Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from ropivacaine. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ropivacaine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ropivacaine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ropivacaine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using ropivacaine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ropivacaine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will monitor you and your baby closely when ropivacaine is used during labor or a C-section.

Breastfeeding. Ropivacaine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does ropivacaine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between ropivacaine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect ropivacaine. 

Does ropivacaine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using ropivacaine.

  • Any other local anesthetic, such as bupivacaine, lidocaine, benzocaine, or prilocaine
  • A nitrate, such as Isordil, Nitro-Dur, NitroMist, or Nitrostat, which is a medicine used to prevent chest pain caused by a type of heart disease
  • A medicine used to treat cancer, such as cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, or rasburicase
  • An antibiotic used to treat infections, such as dapsone, nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin), aminosalicylic acid (Paser), or a sulfonamide, such as sulfamethoxazole
  • A medicine for malaria, such as chloroquine, primaquine, or quinine
  • A medicine used for seizures, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), or divalproex sodium, valproic acid, or valproate sodium (Depakote and others)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is a medicine used for pain or fever
  • Metoclopramide (Reglan and others), which is a medicine used for certain stomach problems
  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox), which is a medicine commonly used for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin), which is a medicine for asthma or certain other breathing problems
  • Imipramine, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Amiodarone (Pacerone and others), which is a medicine used for an irregular heart rhythm

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of ropivacaine. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ropivacaine. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Ropivacaine (Naropin) interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ropivacaine?

If you or someone else has used too much ropivacaine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ropivacaine?

Ropivacaine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving ropivacaine appropriately.

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