Common Local Anaesthetics and Their Properties
Table of local anaesthetics’ maximum safe dose and duration of action
| LOCAL ANAESTHETIC | ONSET | DURATION (with adrenaline) | MAXIMUM DOSE (with adrenaline) |
| Lidocaine | Rapid (5min) | 1-2hrs (2-4hrs) | 3mg (7mg/kg) * |
| Bupivacaine | Slow (>15mins) | 4hrs (8hrs) | 2mg/kg (3mg/kg) |
| Prilocaine | Medium | 1.5hrs (6hrs) | 5mg/kg (7.5mg/kg) |
* E.g. 70kg man can have 3mg/kg of lidocaine without adrenaline. Maximum dose of lidocaine therefore 210mg. 1% solution of lidocaine contains 10mg/ml. Therefore patient can have 21mls of lidocaine safely. With adrenaline this increases to 49mls (7mg/kg maximum dose therefore 490mg maximum dose)
Useful links