General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Lignox oint (Warren)
Gesicain oint (SPPL)
Lidocaine is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Lidocaine pronounced as: LYE-doe-kane
Lidocaine is an anaesthetic drug.
Lidocaine is used in the following conditions
- Life threatening Ventricular arrhythmias like Ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia
- Sympathetic nerve block
- Peripheral nerve block
- Spinal anaesthesia
- Epidural anaesthesia
- Surface anaesthesia
- Haemorrhoids
- Perianal pain and itching
- Pupil dilatation during cataract surgery
- Take lidocaine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Do not take lidocaine in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking lidocaine without consulting your doctor.
- Lidocaine injection should be given by your health care professional.
- Topical lidocaine should be used only for external purpose. Do not allow the medicine to come in contact with your eyes. If it does then rinse it thoroughly with distilled water.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Diuretics like spironolcatone, furosemide, acetazolamide
- Propranolol ( beta blocker)
- Other antiarrythmic drugs like Flecainide, procainamide, quinidine
- Cimetidine (gastric medication)
- Anti convulsants like phenytoin
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Lidocaine should be used cautiously in these conditions
- History of heart block
- congestive heart failure
- Respiratory depression
- Blood disorder like Porphyria
- Liver disease
Do not take lidocaine if you are having heart problems.
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Lidocaine belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that lidocaine is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether lidocaine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take lidocaine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
Lidocaine can cause blurring of vision as side effect. When affected do not drive or involve in activities which require you to be alert.
Lidocaine is available as injection, gel, solution, sprays and cream. Your doctor will prescribe it depending on the severity of the condition.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of lidocaine are
- Very slow Irregular heartbeat
- Extreme weakness
- Fainting
- Blurring of vision
- Convulsions
Lidocaine may cause following side effects
- Giddiness
- Confusion
- Numbness at the site where applied
- Irritation, redness, swelling at the site of injection
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Visual disturbances like halo, decrease in vision
- Increase in severity of tremors
- Convulsions
- Irregular heart rate, sweating, anxiety
- Breathing difficulty
Store lidocaine at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
- Lidocaine injection when given in muscle may increase the Creatinine Phosphokinase levels (CPK). Thus interfering in the diagnosis of Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date: Mar26th,09