Lidocaine
About Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a topical local anaesthetic used to temporarily numb specific areas of the skin or mucous membranes to prevent pain. It is commonly applied before minor medical procedures such as needle sticks, stitches, or minor skin surgeries. It is also used to relieve surface discomfort caused by minor burns, sunburn, scrapes, or insect bites.
You should apply Lidocaine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the package instructions, using it only on the specific area that needs relief. Since this is a topical treatment applied directly to the skin, food intake does not affect how it works. To support skin healing and overall comfort, stay well-hydrated, avoid scratching the treated area, and keep the skin clean and protected from harsh sunlight.
While using Lidocaine, you might experience mild, temporary skin reactions at the application site, such as redness, itching, or a slight burning sensation. These effects usually go away on their own, but you should contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe burning, swelling, dizziness, or a pale or bluish appearance of the skin.
Before starting Lidocaine, tell your doctor if you have open wounds, severe skin irritation, liver disease, or a history of unusual reactions to numbing medicines. Do not use this medicine if you have a known allergy to similar local anaesthetics or if you have severe heart block.
Let your doctor know about any other medications you are using, especially heart rhythm medicines, as combining them with Lidocaine can increase the risk of heart-related side effects. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are caring for an elderly patient, consult your healthcare provider before applying this medication to ensure it is safe to use.
Uses of Lidocaine
• Local Anaesthetic: Lidocaine acts as a local anaesthetic, numbing the skin to reduce pain and discomfort during injections or minor surgeries.
• Post-surgical Pain Relief: Lidocaine provides post-surgical pain relief by numbing the skin, alleviating localised pain and discomfort after surgery.
• Skin Irritation Management: Lidocaine numbs the skin, providing temporary relief from irritation caused by minor burns, insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin conditions by blocking nerve signals.
• Dermatological Procedures: Lidocaine is used before dermatological procedures like laser treatments or chemical peels to numb the skin, reducing pain and discomfort.
• Sexual Activity support: In some cases, Lidocaine application can be used to help manage premature ejaculation in men by numbing the area, thus extending sexual activity duration.
Medicinal Benefits
Lidocaine provides targeted relief at the site of application, helping reduce pain and irritation without affecting the entire body.
- Rapid localized pain relief: Lidocaine works quickly at the application site, often beginning to numb the area within minutes depending on the formulation. This helps reduce discomfort without causing widespread effects throughout the body.
- Improved comfort during procedures: By temporarily dulling pain sensations, Lidocaine can make injections, blood draws, cosmetic procedures, and minor surgical treatments more comfortable. This may also help reduce procedure-related anxiety.
- Soothes irritated skin: Lidocaine helps calm burning, itching, and stinging sensations associated with minor skin injuries and irritations. This can improve comfort while the affected area heals.
- Targeted treatment: Because the medication is applied directly to the affected area, its effects remain focused where relief is needed. When used as directed, this may help minimise systemic side effects.
- Supports daily activities: By reducing localised pain and sensitivity, Lidocaine can make routine activities such as walking, dressing, or touching the affected area more manageable during recovery. This may improve overall comfort and quality of life.
Important safety note: Use only as directed on the product label or by your healthcare provider. Applying too much Lidocaine, covering large areas, using it on broken skin without medical advice, or using heating pads over the treated area can increase absorption and raise the risk of serious side effects. Seek medical help immediately if you develop severe dizziness, confusion, ringing in the ears, metallic taste, seizures, irregular heartbeat, or difficulty breathing after use.
Directions for Use
To ensure safe and effective pain relief, use Lidocaine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the product instructions.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medication.
- Clean and dry the affected area of skin as directed by your doctor.
- Apply a thin layer of Lidocaine only to the affected area.
- Do not rub it in vigorously unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
- Do not apply this medication to open wounds, deeply cut skin, severe burns, or areas with blisters unless your doctor tells you to.
- Avoid getting the medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Do not apply more than the recommended amount or use it more frequently than prescribed.
- Unless directed by your healthcare provider, avoid covering the treated area with tight bandages or dressings, as this may increase absorption.
- Allow the medication to dry properly before covering the area with clothing.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how much to apply and how often to use it.
Storage
Side Effects of Lidocaine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Mild redness or irritation at the application site
- Temporary itching or a slight tingling sensation
- Mild swelling or pale skin where the medication was applied
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Severe burning, stinging, or skin irritation after application
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Dizziness, extreme drowsiness, confusion, or blurred vision
- Unusual warmth, numbness, or a bluish/pale color in your fingers, toes, or lips
Medicines Containing this Salt
View All
Drug Warnings
- Inspect the Product Before Use: Inspect the product before use; do not use it if the packaging is damaged, punctured, or if the cream or gel has changed colour or consistency.
- Do Not Apply to Damaged Skin Unless Directed: Never apply Lidocaine to raw, blistered, or broken skin unless your doctor has explicitly evaluated the skin and told you to do so.
- Avoid Applying to Large Areas: Do not apply this medication to large areas of the body, as excessive absorption through the skin can cause serious heart and central nervous system complications.
- Use Other Skin Products with Caution: Avoid using cosmetics, sunscreens, or other medicated skin products on the same area unless cleared by your healthcare provider.
- Prevent Accidental Contact in Children: If you are applying this medication to a child, ensure they do not touch the treated area and then touch their eyes or mouth.
- Different formulations may work differently: Lidocaine is available as creams, gels, sprays, ointments, solutions, and patches. The time it takes to begin working and the duration of the numbing effect can vary between products. Always follow the instructions specific to your prescribed or purchased formulation.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Lidocaine may interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect the heart or contain similar anaesthetic ingredients. Inform your healthcare provider about all medicines you are using before starting treatment.
- Heart rhythm medicines (such as class I antiarrhythmics like mexiletine): May increase the risk of serious heart-related side effects when used alongside Lidocaine.
- Other local anaesthetics: Combining Lidocaine with other topical or systemic numbing agents can increase the total amount of anaesthetic in your body, raising the risk of toxicity.
- Cimetidine and certain beta-blockers: These medicines may reduce the body's ability to break down absorbed Lidocaine, potentially increasing the risk of side effects, especially if large amounts of Lidocaine are used or applied over extensive areas.
- Other prescription medicines: Additional interactions may occur with medications that affect heart rhythm, liver function, or the central nervous system. Always inform your healthcare provider about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Certain medical conditions may affect how safely Lidocaine can be used and may require additional monitoring or dosage adjustments.
- Severe liver disease: Since the body processes this medication primarily through the liver, severe liver impairment may lead to a buildup of the medicine in your system, increasing the risk of side effects.
- Heart block or severe heart disease: If you have pre-existing heart rhythm problems, absorbed medication can potentially worsen these conditions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown if alcohol affects Lidocaine. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe Lidocaine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will decide whether breastfeeding mothers can use Lidocaine or not.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known if Lidocaine affects your ability to drive. Drive only if you are alert after using Lidocaine.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeLidocaine is not recommended for children as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid Applying Heat to the Treated Area: Avoid applying heat (such as heating pads or hot water bottles) to the treated area, as heat can increase how much medication your skin absorbs and raise the risk of side effects.
- Do Not Use Airtight Dressings Unless Directed: Do not wrap or bandage the treated area with airtight or plastic dressings unless specifically instructed by your doctor, as this can also increase absorption.
- Protect Numb Areas from Injury: Protect the numbed area from accidental injury, extreme cold, or extreme heat while the medication is active, as you may not feel cuts, burns, or frostbite.
- Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothing over the application site to prevent friction and avoid rubbing the medication off before it has time to work.
Special Advise
- Do not apply Lidocaine on open wounds, injured skin, or unhealed shingles blisters.
- Wash your hands after use. However, do not wash your hands if you are using Lidocaine on your hands.
- If Lidocaine comes in contact with the eyes, mouth or nose, wash with water immediately. Consult a doctor if irritation persists.
- Do not scratch or rub the skin when it is numb.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain can be generalised (overall body aches) or localised (affecting a specific area of the body). The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, and cuts.
Local anaesthesia: It causes numbing/loss of sensation to a specific area of the body. It is used to treat pain or to prevent pain during surgery or a medical procedure.
Post-herpetic neuralgia: Post-herpetic neuralgia is a lasting pain in the area of shingles. Shingles is a viral infection that causes painful rashes due to the reactivation of the chickenpox virus infection. Symptoms include nerve pain and itchiness.
Premature ejaculation: Premature ejaculation is when a man ejaculates (orgasms) more quickly with less sexual stimulation than the man or his partner would like. This could lead to problems in a sexual relationship. Premature ejaculation is also known as rapid ejaculation, premature climax or early ejaculation. Symptoms include the inability to delay orgasm or ejaculation for more than a minute after the start of intercourse.
FAQs
Lidocaine belongs to the class of local anaesthetics used to reduce/relieve pain and discomfort. It also treats post-herpetic neuralgia (lasting pain after a shingles infection). It may also be used to treat premature ejaculation. It is also indicated for preventing and controlling pain in urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). It may also be used as an adjunct for endotracheal intubation.
Lidocaine blocks the influx of sodium ions into the membrane that surrounds the nerves, thereby preventing initiation and conduction of impulses (nerve signal). Hence, it provides an anaesthetic effect and decreases the sensation of pain.
Avoid concomitant use of Lidocaine with other topical products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, lotions, moisturisers, insect repellent creams, and other gels.
Do not apply external heat or cover the treated skin with dressings after applying Lidocaine. Covering the skin or applying heat might increase the amount of drug absorbed into the skin, leading to unpleasant side effects.
Avoid using Lidocaine for longer durations unless prescribed by the doctor. If your condition does not improve even after using Lidocaine for 7 days, consult your doctor.
The onset of Lidocaine varies depending on the formulation and where it is applied. Some gels, sprays, and solutions may begin working within a few minutes, while creams and patches may require 20 to 60 minutes or longer to achieve their full numbing effect. Always follow the instructions provided with your specific product. Talk to your doctor if the medication does not seem to work as expected.
No, you should not apply Lidocaine to open wounds, deep cuts, or severely damaged skin unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider, as this can cause the medication to enter your bloodstream too quickly.
Lidocaine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed and prescribed by your doctor. While topical application generally results in low absorption, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
No, do not apply heating pads or hot compresses to the treated area. Heat increases blood flow to the skin, which can cause your body to absorb too much of the medication and increase the risk of serious side effects.
If the medication gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately and thoroughly with plenty of cool, clean water. Because it can numb the eye, you may not feel irritation or damage, so seek medical attention if irritation persists.
You should only cover the treated area with a bandage or plastic wrap if your doctor has specifically instructed you to do so. Covering the medication can significantly increase how much of it is absorbed into your body.
When used correctly on small areas of skin, Lidocaine does not typically cause drowsiness. However, if too much is absorbed into your system, it can cause dizziness or extreme sleepiness, which are signs that require immediate medical care.
Lidocaine is sometimes used to numb the skin before minor cosmetic procedures or tattoos, but it must be used with caution and only in safe, recommended amounts over small areas. Always consult a healthcare professional before using it for these purposes.
No. Lidocaine is available in several formulations, including creams, gels, sprays, ointments, topical solutions, and patches. Each product may have different application instructions, onset times, and duration of action. Always read the product label carefully and follow your healthcare provider's instructions for the specific formulation you are using.
