What is lidocaine topical?
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your
body.
Lidocaine topical (for use on the skin) is used to reduce pain or discomfort caused by skin
irritations such as sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts,
scratches, hemorrhoids, and burns.
Lidocaine topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lidocaine topical?
An overdose of numbing medications can cause fatal side effects if too
much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood.
Overdose is more likely to occur when using a numbing medicine without the advice of a
medical doctor (such as during a cosmetic procedure like laser hair removal). However, overdose has
also occurred in women treated with a numbing medicine before having a mammography. Symptoms
may include uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), coma, slowed breathing, or respiratory failure
(breathing stops).
Do not use lidocaine topical if you are allergic to any other type of numbing medicine.
Before using lidocaine topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
liver disease, or broken, swollen, or damaged skin. You may not be able to use lidocaine topical, or
you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Lidocaine topical can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take lidocaine topical?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
Lidocaine topical comes in many different forms for different uses. Lidocaine topical cream,
lotion, spray, solution, film, and transdermal patch are generally for use on the skin only.
If your medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Your body may absorb more of this medication if you use too much, if you apply it over
large skin areas, or if you apply heat, bandages, or plastic wrap to treated skin areas. Skin that is cut
or irritated may also absorb more topical medication than healthy skin.
Use the smallest amount of this medication needed to numb the skin or relieve pain.
Do not use large amounts of lidocaine topical, or cover treated skin areas with a bandage or
plastic wrap without medical advice.
Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are
performed without a medical doctor present.
Do not apply this medication to swollen skin areas or deep puncture wounds. Avoid using
the medicine on skin that is raw or blistered, such as a severe burn or abrasion.
Lidocaine topical may be applied with your finger tips or a cotton swab. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
Store lidocaine topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep both used and unused lidocaine topical patches out of the reach of children or pets.
The amount of lidocaine in the skin patches could be harmful to a child or pet who
accidentally sucks on or swallows the patch.
Seek emergency medical attention if this
happens.
What happens if I miss a dose of lidocaine topical?
Since lidocaine topical is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are
using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about lidocaine topical?
Your pharmacist has information about lidocaine topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lidocaine topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using lidocaine topical and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
Less serious side effects include:
-
mild irritation, redness, or swelling where the medication is
applied;
-
numbness in places where the medicine is accidentally
applied.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lidocaine topical?
An overdose of numbing medications can cause fatal side effects if too
much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood.
This is more
likely to occur when using a numbing medicine without the advice of a medical doctor (such as during a
cosmetic procedure like laser hair removal). However, overdose has also occurred in women treated
with a numbing medicine before having a mammography. Overdose symptoms may include uneven
heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), coma, slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops).
Your body may absorb more of this medication if you use too much, if you apply it over
large skin areas, or if you apply heat, bandages, or plastic wrap to treated skin areas. Skin that is cut
or irritated may also absorb more topical medication than healthy skin.
Use the smallest amount of this medication needed to numb the skin or relieve pain.
Do not use large amounts of lidocaine topical, or cover treated skin areas with a bandage or
plastic wrap without medical advice.
Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are
performed without a medical doctor present.
Keep both used and unused lidocaine topical patches out of the reach of children or pets.
The amount of lidocaine in the skin patches could be harmful to a child or pet who
accidentally sucks on or swallows the patch.
Seek emergency medical attention if this
happens.
What should I avoid while taking lidocaine topical?
Do not allow this medication to come into contact with your eyes. If it does, rinse with
water. Avoid touching the sticky side of a lidocaine skin patch while applying it.
Avoid using other topical medications on the affected area unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect lidocaine topical?
Before using lidocaine topical, tell your doctor if you are taking medication to treat a heart
rhythm disorder, such as:
-
quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute);
-
disopyramide (Norpace);
-
flecainide (Tambocor);
-
mexiletine (Mexitil);
-
procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl);
-
tocainide (Tonocard); or
-
propafenone (Rythmol).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
lidocaine topical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of lidocaine topical?
