Pharmacokinetics and neural blockade after subarachnoid lidocaine in the rhesus monkey. III. Effects of phenylephrine.

Using a rhesus monkey model, lidocaine (30 mg) in 7.5% dextrose was compared with lidocaine (30 mg) in 7.5% dextrose containing 1.5 mg of phenylephrine (Neosynephrine). Phenylephrine increased both duration of maximum motor block and time for complete motor recovery. A significantly higher sensory dermatome level and significantly longer time for complete sensory recovery was found when the lidocaine solution contained phenylephrine. Time for two-segment regression of sensory blockade was unaffected by phenylephrine. The slope of the regression phase for motor block was parallel for both treatments, suggesting differences in neural blockade were caused by a more profound initial block when phenylephrine was added. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed identical absorption and elimination constants. Maximum plasma concentrations of lidocaine and time to reach maximum plasma concentrations were identical with and without phenylephrine. The systemic absorption (fraction of drug absorbed from the subarachnoid space) was complete with and without phenylephrine. No lag times for systemic absorption were found for either treatment. Our data demonstrate that there are no clinically significant differences between phenylephrine and epinephrine when added to lidocaine solutions for spinal anesthesia.