Sensorcaine Plain Dosage/Direction for Use

Adults and children above 12 years of age: The following table is a guide to dosage for the more commonly used techniques. The clinician's experience and knowledge of the patient's physical status are of importance in calculating the required dose. When prolonged blocks are used, either by continuous infusion or by repeated bolus administration, the risks of reaching a toxic plasma concentration or inducing a local neural injury must be considered.

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The doses in the table are those considered to be necessary to produce a successful block and should be regarded as a guide for use in adults. Individual variations in onset and duration occur. The figures reflect the expected average dose range needed. Standard textbooks should be consulted for factors affecting specific block techniques and for individual patient requirements. N.B. Risk of systemic effects of adrenaline with large volumes of adrenaline containing solutions should be considered.
In order to avoid intravascular injection, aspiration should be repeated prior to and during administration of the main dose, which should be injected slowly or in incremental doses, at a rate of 25-50 mg/min, while closely observing the patient's vital functions and maintaining verbal contact. When an epidural dose is to be injected, a preceding test dose of 3-5 ml bupivacaine containing adrenaline is recommended. An inadvertent intravascular injection may be recognised by a temporary increase in heart rate and an accidental intrathecal injection by signs of a spinal block. If toxic symptoms occur, the injection should be stopped immediately. (See Acute systemic toxicity under Overdosage.)
Experience to date indicates that 400 mg administered over 24 hours is well tolerated in the average adult.
In children the dosage should be calculated on a weight basis up to 2 mg/kg.