Why is this medicine prescribed?
Lidocaine is used to manage pain during surgery or medical procedures. Lidocaine is in a class of medications called local anesthetics. It works by blocking nerves from sending pain signals.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Lidocaine injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected by a healthcare provider. It is usually given just before surgery or a procedure.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before receiving lidocaine injection,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (an inherited disease that affects red blood cells); methemoglobinemia (a condition that affect how the red blood cells work to carry oxygen); or liver, heart or blood vessel disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- you should know that you may have a temporary loss of feeling and ability to move (usually the lower half of your body) after you receive lidocaine injection in or around your spine.
- you should know that after receiving lidocaine injection for dental procedures, you should not try to chew solid foods until feeling returns in the mouth. It may take up to 7 hours after you receive lidocaine for the feeling to return.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Lidocaine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- pain or redness at the site of injection
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- itching, redness, hives, swelling of the tongue and/or throat, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, or fainting
- restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling of the mouth and lips, metallic taste, tinnitus, dizziness, blurred vision, tremors, twitching, or drowsiness
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- difficulty breathing, confusion, seizures (particularly after injection into the head and neck area)
- pale, gray, or blue colored skin; headache; rapid heart rate; shortness of breath; lightheadedness; or fatigue
Lidocaine injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems when receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (
1-800-332-1088).What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.