Articaine

The Basics

What is Articaine?

Articaine and epinephrine combination injection is used to numb the mouth before a dental procedure.

Brand names for Articaine

Articadent Dental With Ephinephrine, Ultacan, Ultacan Forte

How Articaine is classified

Anesthetics – Local

Articaine During Pregnancy

Articaine pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Articaine while pregnant

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women witharticaine with epinephrine. Articaine hydrochloride and epinephrine(1:100,000) has been shown to increase fetal deaths and skeletal variations inrabbits when given in doses approximately 4 times the maximumrecommended human dose (MRHD). [Tradename] should be used duringpregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.In embryo-fetal toxicity studies in rabbits, 80 mg/kg, subcutaneously(approximately 4 times the MRHD based on body surface area) caused fetaldeath and increased fetal skeletal variations, but these effects may beattributable to severe maternal toxicity, including seizures, observed at thisdose. In contrast, no embryo-fetal toxicities were observed when articaine andepinephrine (1:100,000) was administered subcutaneously throughoutorganogenesis at doses up to 40 mg/kg in rabbits and 80 mg/kg in rats(approximately 2 times the MRHD based on body surface area).In pre- and postnatal developmental studies subcutaneous administration ofarticaine hydrochloride to pregnant rats throughout gestation and lactation, ata dose of 80 mg/kg (approximately 2 times the MRHD based on body surfacearea) increased the number of stillbirths and adversely affected passiveavoidance, a measure of learning, in pups. This dose also produced severematernal toxicity in some animals. A dose of 40 mg/kg (approximately equalto the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) did not produce these effects. A similar studyusing articaine and epinephrine (1:100,000) rather than articainehydrochloride alone produced maternal toxicity, but no effects on offspring.

Taking Articaine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Articaine?

No information is available on the use of articaine during breastfeeding. Based on the low excretion of other local anesthetics into breastmilk, a single dose of articaine injected during breastfeeding is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant. However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the use of articaine during breastfeeding. Based on the low excretion of other local anesthetics into breastmilk, a single dose of articaine injected during breastfeeding is unlikely to adversely affect the breastfed infant. However, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Articaine on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Articaine