Articaine Hydrochloride

Dental Anesthesia

Local, infiltrative, or regional (i.e., nerve block) anesthesia in simple and complex dental and periodontal procedures.1 8

Anesthetic activity comparable to that of lidocaine, mepivacaine, and prilocaine.2 4 7

General

• Determine dosage based on type and extent of surgical procedure, depth of anesthesia, degree of muscular relaxation, and condition of the patient.1 Use smallest dose required to produce the desired effect.1

• For pediatric patients, determine dosage based on age, weight, physical condition of the patient, and type and extent of surgical procedure.1

Administration

Submucosal Injection

For solution and drug compatibility information, see Compatibility under Stability.

Administer by submucosal infiltration or by nerve block.1

Aspirate prior to administration to guard against intravascular injection.1

For chemical disinfection of the cartridge unit, use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (91%) or ethyl alcohol (70%).1 Do not use brands that are not of USP grade, since these preparations may contain denaturants that may be injurious to rubber.1

Dosage

Available as fixed combination containing articaine hydrochloride and epinephrine bitartrate; dosage expressed in terms of articaine hydrochloride.1

Pediatric Patients

Children ≥4 years of age: Use lower dosages than those suggested for healthy adults (see Adults under Dosage and Administration).1

Simple procedures: 0.76–5.65 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

Complex procedures: 0.37–7.48 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

Approximately 13% of pediatric patients in clinical trials required additional injections for complete anesthesia.1

Adults

Usual dosage range: 20–204 mg.1

Prescribing Limits

Pediatric Patients

Maximum 7 mg/kg (0.175 mL/kg).1

Adults

Maximum 7 mg/kg (0.175 mL/kg).1

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Reduce dosage in patients with hepatic disease.1

Geriatric Patients

Reduce dosage in patients ≥65 years of age.1

Simple procedures: 0.43–4.76 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

Complex procedures: 1.05–4.27 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

Approximately 6% of patients in clinical trials required additional injections for complete anesthesia.1

Simple procedures: 0.78–4.76 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

Complex procedures: 1.12–2.17 mg/kg used in clinical trials.1

None of the patients in clinical trials required additional injections for complete anesthesia.1

Other Populations

Reduce dosage in patients with cardiac disease, debilitated patients, and patients with acute illnesses.1

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type or to sodium metabisulfite.1 4

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Injection contains epinephrine, which may cause tissue necrosis or systemic toxicity.1 Consider usual precautions associated with epinephrine administration.1

Accidental intravascular injection may result in confusion, seizures, CNS or cardiorespiratory depression, coma, and/or respiratory arrest.1

Aspirate prior to administration to guard against intravascular injection.1

Should be used only by clinicians who are sufficiently knowledgeable in the diagnosis and management of dose-related toxicity and other acute emergencies that might arise.1 Resuscitative equipment and drugs must be available for immediate use.1

Sensitivity Reactions

Articaine injection contains sodium metabisulfite, which may cause allergic-type reactions (including anaphylaxis and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes) in certain susceptible individuals.1

General Precautions

Toxic plasma concentrations of local anesthetics (resulting from systemic absorption) associated with adverse CNS effects (e.g., restlessness, anxiety, tinnitus, lightheadedness, dizziness, disorientation, excitement, blurred vision, tremors, depression, drowsiness).1 3

Carefully monitor level of consciousness after each local anesthetic injection.1

Toxic plasma concentrations of local anesthetics (resulting from systemic absorption) associated with adverse cardiovascular effects (e.g., reduced myocardial contractility, peripheral vasodilation, depressed cardiac conduction and excitability).1 Possible atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and, rarely, death.1 Carefully monitor cardiovascular and respiratory vital signs after each local anesthetic injection.1

Cardiac arrhythmias may occur in patients receiving potent general anesthetics; use with caution in such patients.1

Articaine hydrochloride injection contains epinephrine; risk of exaggerated vasoconstrictor response in patients with hypertension or peripheral vascular disease.1 Risk of ischemic injury or necrosis.1

Use with caution in patients with heart block or other cardiovascular disease.1

Specific Populations

Category C.1

Not known whether articaine or its metabolites are distributed into milk.1 4 Caution advised if used in nursing women.1

Safety and efficacy not established in children <4 years of age.1 4

No substantial differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.1

Not studied in patients with hepatic impairment.1 Use with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment.1

Common Adverse Effects

Pain,1 2 4 7 headache,1 2 4 7 facial edema,1 2 4 gingivitis,1 2 4 paresthesia,1 2 4 infection.1 2 4

Approximately 5–10% of available articaine is metabolized by CYP enzymes.1 3

Specific Drugs

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.