Anesthesiologist Questions Epinephrine

Why is epinephrine used with lidocaine?

My procedure is going to use epinephrine and lidocaine together, but I don't know why epinephrine is really necessary. Why is it going to be used with lidocaine for my surgery?

5 Answers

Epinephrine is mixed with lidocaine to increase the duration of effect as it constricts the surroundings blood vessels so there is less absorption of lidocaine into the blood vessels and thus stays longer at the site of injection. 

Thanks, 

Dr. Sayeed
It's used to prolong effect of lidocaine

Boris Yaguda M.D.
Lidocaine is a short acting local anesthetic, lasting around 2 hours or so, give or take. Lidocaine’s onset is rapid (starts working quickly) and epinephrine is added to it to extend its duration of action so the “numbing effect” lasts longer than if used without epinephrine. Depending on where it’s injected, you might experience some of the effects of the epinephrine (racing heart beat, nervousness, excitability), which is normal and NOT an allergy. This is very commonly experienced when used for dental procedures.

Robert Pousman
Simply epinephrine added to lidocaine to cause Vasoconstriction, resulting in less bleeding in the field. But sometimes it causes high blood pressure and increases the pulse rate. The surgeon or person who does the procedure should explain to the patient the pros and cons. Overall, it is safe.
Epinephrin causes constriction of arteries close to the site of local anesthesia. In this way lidocaine stays longer on the site and its effect lasts 1.5-2-times longer. Sometimes epinephrine is getting into the circulation and causes increased heart rate and may increase the blood pressure also. This reaction can be misinterpreted as an allergic reaction.