Lidocaine brands and prices in Pakistan

About Lidocaine

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic, from the amide group. It numbs one part of the body by stopping the nerves there from sending pain signals to the brain. Its older name is lignocaine; it is the same medicine. It comes in many forms: injections given by a doctor, dentist or nurse, skin creams (sometimes mixed with another numbing medicine called prilocaine), mouth and throat gels and liquids, sprays, and skin patches. In hospital, doctors can also give it into a vein to treat some heart rhythm problems.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not use it if you are allergic to lidocaine, to other amide-type local anaesthetics, or to any other ingredient. Tell your doctor or dentist about any past reaction to a local anaesthetic.
• Injections are not given to people with certain heart conduction problems (such as complete heart block) or with low blood volume.
• Tell your doctor if you have a heart problem, epilepsy, liver or kidney disease, breathing problems, myasthenia gravis (a muscle-weakness condition), porphyria, or low potassium.
• Tell your doctor if you have G6PD deficiency or have ever had methaemoglobinaemia, as these raise the risk of the blood problem described above.
• Tell your doctor if you have had narrow-angle glaucoma, or if there is a skin infection with pus near where the injection would go.
• Babies and young children are at higher risk of serious side effects. Use mouth products in young children only if a doctor prescribes them. Injections are not recommended for newborn babies.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: tell your doctor. Injections are only used if they are really needed, and the doctor will decide if a product is suitable for you.
• If you use lidocaine patches, tell any surgeon or dentist before a procedure.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Other heart rhythm medicines, such as amiodarone and mexiletine
• Beta-blockers such as propranolol or timolol, and calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil
• Water tablets (diuretics) and acetazolamide
• Cimetidine (a stomach acid medicine)
• Some HIV medicines, such as atazanavir, darunavir and lopinavir
• Some antipsychotic medicines, such as quetiapine, olanzapine and pimozide
• Suxamethonium (a muscle relaxant used during anaesthesia) and the antibiotic quinupristin/dalfopristin
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen): mention it if you use lidocaine patches
• Tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist about all medicines, herbal remedies and supplements you take, including ones bought without a prescription

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Use it exactly as your doctor, pharmacist or the pack tells you. Use the smallest amount that works, and do not use it more often, on a bigger area, or for longer than directed.
• Put creams and patches only on clean, dry, unbroken skin, and wash your hands afterwards.
• Until the feeling comes back, do not scratch or rub the numb area, and keep it away from strong heat or cold, such as heating pads or ice.
• If you bought a numbing cream for a cosmetic procedure, tell the person doing the procedure that you have used it.
• After using a mouth or throat liquid, wait until the numbness has gone before eating, and do not chew gum, because the numbness can make chewing and swallowing harder.
• After an injection, do not drive or use machines until the numbness and any other effects have worn off. Ask your doctor when it is safe.
• Keep patches in their sealed envelope until you use them. Fold used patches so the sticky sides stick together, and throw them away where children and pets cannot reach them.
• Store all forms out of the reach of children, as many containers are not child-resistant. Return unused medicine to a pharmacy.

Common questions

Are lidocaine and lignocaine the same?
Yes. Lignocaine is the older name. The medicine is exactly the same; only the name has changed.

How long does the numbness last?
It depends on the form and how it is used. After a numbing injection, feeling usually comes back after a few hours. Wait until it has fully worn off before driving, eating or touching hot things.

Can I use a lidocaine gel for my baby's teething pain?
No. Lidocaine mouth products should not be used for teething. They can cause serious harm in babies and young children. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about safer ways to soothe teething.

Is lidocaine numbing cream safe?
It is generally very safe when used as directed on unbroken skin. The most common side effects are itching and tingling. Using too much, using it for too long, or putting it on broken skin can cause serious side effects, so follow the directions carefully.

What if too much has been used or a child swallows it?
Remove any patch or cream and get medical help straight away. Call an ambulance if the person collapses, has a fit, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.