Ask Us > What is the maximum allowable dose of bupivacaine wirh epinephrine?
For procedures requiring bupivacaine (with epinephrine) infiltration, when is the toxic dose reached? The FDA information and package inserts mention 225 mg as the maximum dose, but it must be less than this for small patients and adolescents. We have assumed that you must use mg/kg up to the maximum of 225 mg. Goodman & Gilman (2004 ed) mentions 2 mg/kg (plus 2/3) for bupivacaine with epinephrine (or 2.67 mg/ml). This would mean that 225 mg would be reached in a patient weighing 84 kg, at which point no more should be given no matter what the patient weighs because 225 mg is the absolute toxic dose. What are your experiences with these considerations? Thanks. WBD