Ela-Max

Lidocaine is a prescription medication used to prevent pain before procedures or to relieve pain due to certain conditions. Lidocaine belongs to a group of drugs called local anesthetics. These stop nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.

This medication comes in several topical forms, including a patch to be applied to the skin (transdermal), ointment, cream, and oral solution. Lidocaine is an ingredient in some over-the-counter topical pain relievers. This page refers to the prescription forms of lidocaine.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or for infiltration and nerve block by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of topical lidocaine include irritation at site of application. Common side effects of injectable lidocaine include confusion, nervousness, and numbness. Lidocaine may also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. 

Topical:

Lidocaine is a prescription medication used to prevent pain before procedures or to relieve pain due to certain conditions.  Lidocaine patches may be used to treat pain due to post-herpetic neuralgia. Lidocaine ointment, gel, and cream are used to prevent and control pain during procedures, such as intubation and eye surgery, and relieve pain due to conditions such as inflammation of the urethra and sore throat. Lidocaine oral solution is used to treat pain in the mouth.

Injectable:

Injectable lidocaine is used as an anesthetic during surgical procedures.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with lidocaine. See the “Lidocaine Precautions” section.

Topical:

Common side effects of topical lidocaine include irritation at site of application, including burning, blisters, bruising, redness, or swelling at the site of application. Lidocaine ointment, gel, and cream, as well as the oral solution, may also cause vomiting, seizures, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeat. Lidocaine ophthalmic gel may cause headache or bloodshot eyes.

Lidocaine may also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. 

Injectable:

Common side effects of injectable lidocaine include confusion, nervousness, numbness, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, vomiting, seizures, ringing in the ears, headache, and shivering.

This is not a complete list of lidocaine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• disopyramide (Norpace)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• medications applied to the skin or mouth to treat pain
• mexiletine (Mexitil)
• moricizine (Ethmozine)
• procainamide (Procanabid, Pronestyl)
• propafenone (Rhythmol)
• quinidine (Quinidex)
• tocainide (Tonocard)

This is not a complete list of lidocaine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Use lidocaine exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in several topical forms, including a transdermal patch, ointment, cream, and oral solution. The dose and frequency of use of lidocaine will depend on the condition being treated.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or for infiltration and nerve block by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of lidocaine at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The dose and frequency of use of lidocaine will depend on the condition being treated or the procedure you will undergo.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

Do not use topical forms of lidocaine on broken or blistered skin.

Do not swallow the oral solution of lidocaine. Swish and/or gargle in your mouth and/or throat and spit out the solution.