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What is procaine?
Procaine is a local anesthetic. Procaine causes loss of feeling (numbness) of skin and mucous membranes. Procaine is used as an injection during surgery and other medical and dental procedures. Procaine may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

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What are the possible side effects of procaine?

Stop using procaine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• chest pain or slow or irregular heartbeats;

• dizziness or drowsiness;

• anxiety or restlessness;

• nausea or vomiting; or

• trembling, shaking, or seizures (convulsions).

Other less serious side effects such as numbness, tingling, or minor pain at or around the injection site are more likely to occur. Contact your healthcare provider if these effects seem excessive or prolonged.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I use procaine?
Your healthcare provider will administer procaine as an injection.

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What is the most important information I should know about procaine?
Since there will be decreased sensation of the area where procaine is injected, use caution to avoid injury to the area during and following treatment.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Procaine is administered as an injection in a hospital or clinic setting. Missing a dose should not apply.

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What other drugs will affect procaine?
Before using procaine, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: warfarin (Coumadin); a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); mecamylamine (Inversine); guanadrel (Hylorel) or guanethidine (Ismelin); a medicine to treat high blood pressure; or a medicine to improve muscle strength or tone for conditions such as myasthenia gravis. You may not be able to use procaine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

It is not known whether procaine passes into breast milk. Do not use procaine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to procaine, drugs of a similar chemical configuration, aminobenzoic acid or its derivatives, or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Procaine is available with a prescription under the brand name Novocain. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using procaine?
Before using procaine, talk to your healthcare provider if you have liver problems; bleeding or blood clotting problems; heart problems; a neuromuscular disease such as myasthenia gravis; or other serious medical conditions. You may not be able to use procaine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. It is not known whether procaine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use procaine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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