The following dosage recommendations should be regarded as a guide for use in the average adult:
Spinal anesthesia for surgery: 2-4 ml (10-20 mg Bupivacaine hydrochloride) The patient's physical status and concomitant medication should be considered when deciding the dose, and the lowest dose required for adequate anesthesia should be used. Duration varies with dose, while segmental spread may be difficult to predict, especially with the isobaric (plain) solution. The dose should be reduced in the elderly and in patients in the late stages of pregnancy.
Pediatrics: Bupivacaine may be used in children. One of the differences between small children and adults is a relatively high CSF volume in infants and neonates, requiring a relatively larger dose/kg to produce the same level of block as compared to adults.
- <5 kg: 0.40-0.50 mg/kg
- 5 to 15 kg: 0.30-0.40 mg/kg
- 15 to 40 kg: 0.25-0.30 mg/kg