I have been told that I had allergic reaction to Carbocain, after they injected it in me to perform a D & C which was not completed until the next night under sedation because not all things passed when I was passing. But, I had a anetheselogist (spelling?) the night I was going to have a D & C said that I am not to put a label on it and that I was not really allergic to it. I need to know about this Carbocain, what are the side effects of it, does all the side effects include almost death experience? My MD does not know much about it, the nurses are giving me a hard time when I call for my OB or midwife to explain it to me. I am interested in things like that. I tried looking up the internet, but not getting much of anything and I am not interested in asking drs online and then have to pay them. Why is everyone giving me a hard time with this? Can you ladies help me? Thanks.
I wanted to thank all the moms who helped me with information on Carbocaine and I found out the side effects and couldn't believe that couple of things that happened was not listed. So, I am now more concerned whether it's TIA I experienced. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to put in your responses.
What I've found online about Carbocaine is that it's used for dentistry - so that is confusing me. I don't know anything about it, and I refused a D&C when I miscarried. I have a friend who is a nurse anesthetist and I'll ask her when I see her in a couple of days. I hope you will receive more info before then, though!
S.,
Allergic reactions are not uncommon for the "caine" family (there are 6 of them, including Lidocaine) of local anesthetics and also more frequently the preservatives used in the formulations to maintain sterility (in this case methylparaben). Whether you had the preserved or the preservative-free formulation will depend on how it was administered. Since methylparaben and other preservatives cannot be given epidurally, caudally, or in the spine generally.
If you got the actaul brand name Carbocaine, then you got the 1% (1 mg/mL), 1.5% (1.5 mg/mL) or 2% (2 mg/mL) (3% is dental use only) mepivicaine strength from a company called Hospira, a management buy-out from Abbott, both reputable and high quality companies (I've been in the pharma industry 20+ years, never worked for either company, but do keep track of who gets in quality trouble).
However, doctors and nurses often use the brand name generically rather than the generic name when a generic is actually used. Although, there really aren't very many generics left on the market, so you may have gotten the brand. I tried to find a package insert posted on the web for any of the companies still left selling it (Watson and Abraxis besides Hospira), but could not. You can reach out to Hospira using the contacts on www.hospira.com and ask them to send you one.
This product has been on the market since the 1960s and has been proven safe and effictive via normal FDA requirements, although not problem-free with regards to side effects. Not sure what your symptoms were, but you can see if they match up to the labeled side effects once you get your hands on a package insert. The package insert will give you lots of information (too much really, since any package insert is terrifying) about what other patients have experienced. If you can't get the actual one from them, you can refer to the synopsis at http://www.rxlist.com/carbocaine-drug.htm check out page 3 for side effects and drug interactions. It is very important not to just consider the drug given, but also any other drugs you are on when sorting out your response to the new drug. Normally I only trust www.webmd.com and www.mayoclinic.com for medical info. Webmd didn't have anything useful, but you may also want to check out mayoclinic.com as it also had a good summary of the product.
Let me know if you need any other help sorting out the US pharma market! Hope this helps.
I gues my only suggestion would be to go to a library
and look in a PDR if there is one available. It is
the Physicians Desk Reference of drugs.
S., I have a friend who is an NP in Women's Health. I will ask her if she knows anything about it. Stand your ground my dear. When these people give you a hard time, remind them it is YOUR insurance and YOUR money that contributes to them having jobs. Reputation goes a long way in the medical world. Here in NY, I left the doctor I was with because of my experience with his office and the hospital I would have delivered at. I talked to friends and EVERYONE referred me to the same group of doctors and the hospital that they deliver at. They were all correct because the doctor and the hospital were absolutely wonderful. They want to be nasty...remind them you know a lot of women and will be sure to share your story with them. ;)
Have you sen an allergist for this? I had a reaction to it as well, though mine was used for dental work. My allergist told me it could be the preservatives they use in the drug and not the drug itself. In order to be tested though it is an all day test in a hospital. Be careful when you have dental work as it is used a lot there. I have started asking for drugs with no preservatives and for them to avoid this particular one all together. I got the run around too after I had a reaction and was trying to get a straight answer from the dentist about what she used. The allergist told me it is unusual (but not unheard of ) to be allergic to these drugs. Also, make sure all of your doctors know. If you almost died you may want the full battery of tests. My throat swelled & now I have an epi-pen just in case.
I did a little research on this subject for you. Here is an article you might find interesting.
http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/37014.htm
I know the article refers to dentistry but it might help you to at least understand what may have happened to you.
gloria...
