Drug Notes

Articaine with epinephrine (By injection)

Articaine (AT-ti-kane), Epinephrine (ep-i-NEF-rin)

Given as an injection to numb the gums and mouth during a dental surgery or procedure.

Brand Name(s):

Articadent Dental with Epinephrine

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your dentist will inject this medicine through a needle placed into your gum, usually near the underside of your tongue. Before you receive the injection, a numbing gel may be rubbed onto the gum to make the injection more comfortable.
• You should start to feel numb within a few minutes of receiving this medicine. Tell your dentist if you still have feeling in your mouth just before the procedure begins.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Allergy medicine
  • An MAO inhibitor (MAOI)
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Depression medicine
  • Phenothiazine medicine, such as promethazine, chlorpromazine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, problems with your blood circulation, asthma, or a sulfite allergy.
• This medicine may numb your gums, tongue, lips, and cheek. You may not have feeling in your mouth for several hours following your surgery or procedure. Be careful when you chew food or drink liquids until feeling has returned. You may accidentally injure the inside of your mouth if you eat or drink while you are still numb.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Bleeding, swelling, or signs of infection in your gums
• Confusion, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness in parts of your body other than your mouth
• Seizure
• Shallow breathing
• Unusual bruising, swollen neck glands

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Neck or back pain, joint or muscle pain
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
• Stomach pain, vomiting
• Swelling of your tongue, bad taste in your mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017