Abstract

Bupivacaine (Marcain - DFE), which is advocated as a long-acting local anaesthetic, was synthesised in Sweden in 1957. Chemically bupivacaine and its predecessor mepivacaine (which is not available in this country) are related to lignocaine. Bupivacaine differs from mepivacaine in having a butyl instead of a methyl group attached to the piperidyl ring.