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CHLOROPROCAINE HCI
Overview
Active ingredients
Source: NDC Directory| Ingredient | Strength | RxCUI | Monograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroprocaine Hydrochloride | 20 mg/mL | 2613956 | View |
Forms, strengths and routes
Source: NDC DirectoryPharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.
Pharmacologic class
Source: NDC Directory| Class | Type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Ester Local Anesthetic [EPC] | EPC | 5 members — no class page |
| Esters [CS] | CS | 5 members — no class page |
| Local Anesthesia [PE] | PE | All 53 members |
Regulatory status
Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory| Product | Trade name | Form | Strength | Ingredient | Status | TE | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 009435-001 | NESACAINE | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Discontinued | — | RLD | |
| 009435-002 | NESACAINE | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Prescription | AP | RLD | |
| 009435-003 | NESACAINE-MPF | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Discontinued | — | ||
| 009435-004 | NESACAINE-MPF | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Discontinued | — | ||
| 009435-006 | NESACAINE-MPF | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Prescription | AP | RLD RS | |
| 009435-007 | NESACAINE-MPF | INJECTABLE | CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE | Prescription | AP | RLD RS |
Therapeutic equivalence
Source: Orange BookWhat this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (parenteral aqueous solutions)
Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.
Approval history
Source: Drugs@FDA| Type | No. | Action | Status | Date | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplement | 44 | Labeling | Approved | November 2, 2018 | Standard |
| Supplement | 40 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 16, 2013 | Priority |
| Supplement | 36 | Labeling | Approved | February 19, 2010 | Priority |
| Supplement | 35 | Labeling | Approved | February 19, 2010 | 901 Required |
| Supplement | 34 | Labeling | Approved | June 21, 2004 | Standard |
| Supplement | 33 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 15, 2002 | Priority |
| Supplement | 32 | Labeling | Approved | November 10, 2000 | Standard |
| Supplement | 31 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | May 31, 1996 | Priority |
| Supplement | 30 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | May 2, 1996 | Priority |
| Supplement | 29 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | April 5, 1995 | Priority |
| Supplement | 28 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | April 13, 1993 | Priority |
| Supplement | 27 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | August 27, 1990 | Priority |
| Supplement | 26 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | March 5, 1990 | Priority |
| Supplement | 25 | Labeling | Approved | August 26, 1988 | — |
| Supplement | 24 | Labeling | Approved | July 30, 1987 | — |
| Supplement | 23 | Labeling | Approved | July 30, 1987 | — |
| Supplement | 22 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | July 30, 1987 | Priority |
| Supplement | 20 | Labeling | Approved | November 14, 1986 | — |
| Supplement | 21 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | August 6, 1986 | Priority |
| Supplement | 16 | Labeling | Approved | July 16, 1985 | — |
| Supplement | 15 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | July 16, 1985 | Priority |
| Supplement | 14 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | July 16, 1985 | Priority |
| Supplement | 18 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 12, 1982 | Priority |
| Supplement | 17 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 12, 1982 | Priority |
| Supplement | 13 | Labeling | Approved | February 23, 1981 | — |
| Supplement | 12 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 23, 1981 | Priority |
| Supplement | 8 | Labeling | Approved | November 6, 1980 | — |
| Supplement | 10 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | June 13, 1979 | Priority |
| Supplement | 9 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | February 27, 1979 | Priority |
| Supplement | 5 | Labeling | Approved | March 16, 1976 | — |
| Supplement | 4 | Labeling | Approved | March 16, 1976 | — |
| Supplement | 7 | Manufacturing (CMC) | Approved | November 15, 1974 | Priority |
| Original application | 1 | Type 1 - New Molecular Entity | Approved | March 11, 1955 | Priority |
Prescribing information
Source: openFDA Drug LabelingReproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20240128). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.
Indications and Usage
openFDA Drug LabelingINDICATIONS & USAGE Nesacaine 1% and 2% Injections, in multidose vials with methylparaben as preservative, are indicated for the production of local anesthesia by infiltration and peripheral nerve block. They are not to be used for lumbar or caudal epidural anesthesia. Nesacaine-MPF 2% and 3% Injections, in single dose vials without preservative and without EDTA, are indicated for the production of local anesthesia by infiltration, peripheral and central nerve block, including lumbar and caudal epidural blocks. Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections are not to be used for subarachnoid administration.
Dosage and Administration
openFDA Drug LabelingDOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION Chloroprocaine may be administered as a single injection or continuously through an indwelling catheter. As with all local anesthetics, the dose administered varies with the anesthetic procedure, the vascularity of the tissues, the depth of anesthesia and degree of muscle relaxation required, the duration of anesthesia desired, and the physical condition of the patient. The smallest dose and concentration required to produce the desired result should be used. Dosage should be reduced for children, elderly and debilitated patients and patients with cardiac and/or liver disease. The maximum single recommended doses of chloroprocaine in adults are: without epinephrine, 11 mg/kg, not to exceed a maximum total dose of 800 mg; with epinephrine (1:200,000), 14 mg/kg, not to exceed a maximum total dose of 1000 mg. For specific techniques and procedures, refer to standard textbooks. There have been adverse event reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures. Nesacaine is not approved for this use (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Caudal and Lumbar Epidural Block: In order to guard against adverse experiences sometimes noted following unintended penetration of the subarachnoid space, the following procedure modifications are recommended: Use an adequate test dose (3 mL of Nesacaine-MPF 3% Injection or 5 mL of Nesacaine-MPF 2% Injection) prior to induction of complete block. This test dose should be repeated if the patient is moved in such a fashion as to have displaced the epidural catheter. Allow adequate time for onset of anesthesia following administration of each test dose. Avoid the rapid injection of a large volume of local anesthetic injection through the catheter. Consider fractional doses, when feasible. In the event of the known injection of a large volume of local anesthetic injection into the subarachnoid space, after suitable resuscitation and if the catheter is in place, consider attempting the recovery of drug by draining a moderate amount of cerebrospinal fluid (such as 10 mL) through the epidural catheter. As a guide for some routine procedures, suggested doses are given below: Infiltration and Peripheral Nerve Block: NESACAINE or NESACAINE-MPF (chloroprocaine HCl Injection, USP) 2. Caudal and Lumbar Epidural Block: NESACAINE-MPF INJECTION. For caudal anesthesia, the initial dose is 15 to 25 mL of a 2% or 3% solution. Repeated doses may be given at 40 to 60 minute intervals. For lumbar epidural anesthesia, 2 to 2.5 mL per segment of a 2% or 3% solution can be used. The usual total volume of Nesacaine-MPF Injection is from 15 to 25 mL. Repeated doses 2 to 6 mL less than the original dose may be given at 40 to 50 minute intervals. The above dosages are recommended as a guide for use in the average adult. Maximum dosages of all local anesthetics must be individualized after evaluating the size and physical condition of the patient and the rate of systemic absorption from a particular injection site. Pediatric Dosage: It is difficult to recommend a maximum dose of any drug for children, since this varies as a function of age and weight. For children over 3 years of age who have a normal lean body mass and normal body development, the maximum dose is determined by the child’s age and weight and should not exceed 11 mg/kg (5 mg/lb). For example, in a child of 5 years weighing 50 lbs (23 kg), the dose of chloroprocaine HCl without epinephrine would be 250 mg. Concentrations of 0.5 to 1% are suggested for infiltration and 1 to 1.5% for nerve block. In order to guard against systemic toxicity, the lowest effective concentration and lowest effective dose should be used at all times. Some of the lower concentrations for use in infants and smaller children are not available in prepackaged containers; it will be necessary to dilute available concentrations with the amount of 0.9% sodium chloride in …
Contraindications
openFDA Drug LabelingCONTRAINDICATIONS Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive (allergic) to drugs of the PABA ester group. Lumbar and caudal epidural anesthesia should be used with extreme caution in persons with the following conditions: existing neurological disease, spinal deformities, septicemia, and severe hypertension.
Warnings
openFDA Drug LabelingWARNINGS LOCAL ANESTHETICS SHOULD ONLY BE EMPLOYED BY CLINICIANS WHO ARE WELL VERSED IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF DOSE RELATED TOXICITY AND OTHER ACUTE EMERGENCIES WHICH MIGHT ARISE FROM THE BLOCK TO BE EMPLOYED, AND THEN ONLY AFTER ENSURING THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF OXYGEN, OTHER RESUSCITATIVE DRUGS, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATIVE EQUIPMENT, AND THE PERSONNEL RESOURCES NEEDED FOR PROPER MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC REACTIONS AND RELATED EMERGENCIES (see also ADVERSE REACTIONS and PRECAUTIONS, DELAY IN PROPER MANAGEMENT OF DOSE RELATED TOXICITY, UNDERVENTILATION FROM ANY CAUSE AND/OR ALTERED SENSITIVITY MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACIDOSIS, CARDIAC ARREST AND, POSSIBLY, DEATH. NESACAINE (chloroprocaine HCl Injection, USP) contains methylparaben and should not be used for lumbar or caudal epidural anesthesia because safety of this antimicrobial preservative has not been established with regard to intrathecal injection, either intentional or unintentional. NESACAINE-MPF Injection contains no preservative; discard unused injection remaining in vial after initial use. Intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics following arthroscopic and other surgical procedures is an unapproved use, and there have been post-marketing reports of chondrolysis in patients receiving such infusions. The majority of reported cases of chondrolysis have involved the shoulder joint; cases of gleno-humeral chondrolysis have been described in pediatric and adult patients following intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics with and without epinephrine for periods of 48 to 72 hours. There is insufficient information to determine whether shorter infusion periods are not associated with these findings. The time of onset of symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness and loss of motion can be variable, but may begin as early as the 2nd month after surgery. Currently, there is no effective treatment for chondrolysis; patients who experienced chondrolysis have required additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and some required arthroplasty or shoulder replacement. Vasopressors should not be used in the presence of ergot-type oxytocic drugs, since a severe persistent hypertension may occur. To avoid intravascular injection, aspiration should be performed before the anesthetic solution is injected. The needle must be repositioned until no blood return can be elicited. However, the absence of blood in the syringe does not guarantee that intravascular injection has been avoided. Mixtures of local anesthetics are sometimes employed to compensate for the slower onset of one drug and the shorter duration of action of the second drug. Experiments in primates suggest that toxicity is probably additive when mixtures of local anesthetics are employed, but some experiments in rodents suggest synergism. Caution regarding toxic equivalence should be exercised when mixtures of local anesthetics are employed.
METHEMOGLOBINEMIA Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported in association with local anesthetic use. Although all patients are at risk for methemoglobinemia, patients with glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia, cardiac or pulmonary compromise, infants under 6 months of age, and concurrent exposure to oxidizing agents or their metabolites are more susceptible to developing clinical manifestations of the condition. If local anesthetics must be used in these patients, close monitoring for symptoms and signs of methemoglobinemia is recommended. Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur immediately or may be delayed some hours after exposure, and are characterized by a cyanotic skin discoloration and/or abnormal coloration of the blood. Methemoglobin levels may continue to rise; therefore, immediate treatment is required to avert more serious central nervous system and cardiovascular adverse effects, including seizures, coma, arrhythmias, and death. Discontinue NESACAINE and any other oxidizing agents. Depending on …
Adverse Reactions
openFDA Drug LabelingMethemoglobinemia Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported in association with local anesthetic use. Although all patients are at risk for methemoglobinemia, patients with glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia, cardiac or pulmonary compromise, infants under 6 months of age, and concurrent exposure to oxidizing agents or their metabolites are more susceptible to developing clinical manifestations of the condition. If local anesthetics must be used in these patients, close monitoring for symptoms and signs of methemoglobinemia is recommended. Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur immediately or may be delayed some hours after exposure, and are characterized by a cyanotic skin discoloration and/or abnormal coloration of the blood. Methemoglobin levels may continue to rise; therefore, immediate treatment is required to avert more serious central nervous system and cardiovascular adverse effects, including seizures, coma, arrhythmias, and death. Discontinue NESACAINE and any other oxidizing agents. Depending on the severity of the signs and symptoms, patients may respond to supportive care, i.e., oxygen therapy, hydration. A more severe clinical presentation may require treatment with methylene blue, exchange transfusion, or hyperbaric oxygen.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Systemic: The most commonly encountered acute adverse experiences that demand immediate countermeasures are related to the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. These adverse experiences are generally dose related and may result from rapid absorption from the injection site, diminished tolerance, or from unintentional intravascular injection of the local anesthetic solution. In addition to systemic dose-related toxicity, unintentional subarachnoid injection of drug during the intended performance of caudal or lumbar epidural block or nerve blocks near the vertebral column (especially in the head and neck region) may result in underventilation or apnea (“Total Spinal”). Factors influencing plasma protein binding, such as acidosis, systemic diseases that alter protein production, or competition of other drugs for protein binding sites, may diminish individual tolerance. Plasma cholinesterase deficiency may also account for diminished tolerance to ester-type local anesthetics. Central Nervous System Reactions: These are characterized by excitation and/or depression. Restlessness, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision or tremors may occur, possibly proceeding to convulsions. However, excitement may be transient or absent, with depression being the first manifestation of an adverse reaction. This may quickly be followed by drowsiness merging into unconsciousness and respiratory arrest. The incidence of convulsions associated with the use of local anesthetics varies with the procedure used and the total dose administered. In a survey of studies of epidural anesthesia, overt toxicity progressing to convulsions occurred in approximately 0.1 percent of local anesthetic administrations. Cardiovascular System Reactions: High doses, or unintended intravascular injection, may lead to high plasma levels and related depression of the myocardium, hypotension, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and, possibly, cardiac arrest. Allergic: Allergic type reactions are rare and may occur as a result of sensitivity to the local anesthetic or to other formulation ingredients, such as the antimicrobial preservative methylparaben, contained in multiple dose vials. These reactions are characterized by signs such as urticaria, pruritus, erythema, angioneurotic edema (including laryngeal edema), tachycardia, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, syncope, excessive sweating, elevated temperature, and possibly, anaphylactoid type symptomatology (including severe hypotension). Cross sensitivity among members of the ester-type local anesthetic group has been reported. The usefulness of screening for sensitivity has not been de …
Description
openFDA Drug LabelingDESCRIPTION Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections are sterile non-pyrogenic local anesthetics. The active ingredient in Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections is chloroprocaine HCl (benzoic acid, 4-amino-2-chloro-2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester, monohydrochloride), which is represented by the following structural formula: Table 1: Composition of Available Injections The solutions are adjusted to pH 2.7 to 4.0 by means of sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid. Filled under nitrogen. Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections should not be resterilized by autoclaving. STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION
Overdosage
openFDA Drug LabelingOVERDOSAGE Acute emergencies from local anesthetics are generally related to high plasma levels encountered during therapeutic use of local anesthetics or to unintended subarachnoid injection of local anesthetic solution (see ADVERSE REACTIONS , WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). In mice, the intravenous LD 50 of chloroprocaine HCl is 97 mg/kg and the subcutaneous LD 50 of chloroprocaine HCl is 950 mg/kg. Management of Local Anesthetic Emergencies: The first consideration is prevention, best accomplished by careful and constant monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory vital signs and the patient’s state of consciousness after each local anesthetic injection. At the first sign of change, oxygen should be administered. The first step in the management of convulsions, as well as underventilation or apnea due to unintentional subarachnoid injection of drug solution, consists of immediate attention to the maintenance of a patent airway and assisted or controlled ventilation with oxygen and a delivery system capable of permitting immediate positive airway pressure by mask. Immediately after the institution of these ventilatory measures, the adequacy of the circulation should be evaluated, keeping in mind that drugs used to treat convulsions sometimes depress the circulation when administered intravenously. Should convulsions persist despite adequate respiratory support, and if the status of the circulation permits, small increments of an ultra-short acting barbiturate (such as thiopental or thiamylal) or a benzodiazepine (such as diazepam) may be administered intravenously; the clinician should be familiar, prior to the use of anesthetics, with these anticonvulsant drugs. Supportive treatment of circulatory depression may require administration of intravenous fluids and, when appropriate, a vasopressor dictated by the clinical situation (such as ephedrine to enhance myocardial contractile force). If not treated immediately, both convulsions and cardiovascular depression can result in hypoxia, acidosis, bradycardia, arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Underventilation or apnea due to unintentional subarachnoid injection of local anesthetic solution may produce these same signs and also lead to cardiac arrest if ventilatory support is not instituted. If cardiac arrest should occur, standard cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures should be instituted. Recovery has been reported after prolonged resuscitative efforts. Endotracheal intubation, employing drugs and techniques familiar to the clinician, may be indicated, after initial administration of oxygen by mask, if difficulty is encountered in the maintenance of a patent airway or if prolonged ventilatory support (assisted or controlled) is indicated.
How Supplied / Storage and Handling
openFDA Drug LabelingHOW SUPPLIED NESACAINE(R) (CHLOROPROCAINE HCI INJECTION, USP) is supplied in the following dosage forms. NDC 51662-1401-1 NESACAINE(R) (CHLOROPROCAINE HCI INJECTION, USP) 2% (600mg per 30mL) (20mg per mL) 30mL VIAL NDC 51662-1401-2 NESACAINE(R) (CHLOROPROCAINE HCI INJECTION, USP) 2% (600mg per 30mL) (20mg per mL) 30mL VIAL 1 VIAL/POUCH NDC 51662-1401-3 NESACAINE(R) (CHLOROPROCAINE HCI INJECTION, USP) 2% (600mg per 30mL) (20mg per mL) 30mL VIAL 1 VIAL/POUCH 25 POUCHES/CASE HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst Mukilteo, WA 98275 Also supplied in the following manufacture supplied dosage forms NESACAINE ® (chloroprocaine HCl Injection, USP) with preservatives is supplied as follows: NESACAINE ®-MPF (chloroprocaine HCl Injection, USP) without preservatives and without EDTA is supplied as follows: For single-dose vials: Discard unused portion. Keep from freezing. Protect from light. Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. All trademarks are the property of Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. HOW SUPPLIED 1 HOW SUPPLIED 2
Adverse event reports
Source: openFDA FAERSAttributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: CHLOROPROCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.
Packaging and NDCs
Source: NDC Directory| Package NDC | Product NDC | Labeler | Description | Marketing start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51662-1401-1 | 51662-1401 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | 30 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE (51662-1401-1) | October 13, 2019 |
| 51662-1401-3 | 51662-1401 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | 21 POUCH in 1 CASE (51662-1401-3) / 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE in 1 POUCH (51662-1401-2) / 30 mL in 1 VIAL, MULTI-DOSE | March 17, 2022 |
| 51662-1408-1 | 51662-1408 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (51662-1408-1) | October 29, 2019 |
| 51662-1408-3 | 51662-1408 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | 25 POUCH in 1 CASE (51662-1408-3) / 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 POUCH (51662-1408-2) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE | January 8, 2023 |
| 51662-1401 | 51662-1401 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | — | October 13, 2019 |
| 51662-1408 | 51662-1408 | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | — | October 29, 2019 |
Sources for this page
| Dataset | Agency | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| NDC Directory | FDA | Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages |
| Drugs@FDA | FDA | Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status |
| Orange Book | FDA | Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity |
| Drug Labeling | FDA / NLM | Prescribing information reproduced above |
| FAERS | FDA | Adverse event report counts |
Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.