lidocaine topical
What is the most important information I should know about lidocaine topical?An overdose of numbing medicine can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin. Do not use large amounts of lidocaine topical, or cover treated skin areas with a bandage or plastic wrap without medical advice. Keep both used and unused lidocaine skin 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. 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, or burns. Lidocaine topical is also used to treat rectal discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Lidocaine topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using lidocaine topical?You should not use lidocaine topical if you are allergic to any type of numbing medicine. Fatal overdoses have occurred when numbing medicines were used 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. Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are performed without a medical doctor present. To make sure lidocaine topical is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - liver disease; or
- if you take a heart rhythm medicine.
Lidocaine topical is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether lidocaine topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I use lidocaine topical?Use this medicine exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply this medicine in larger amounts than recommended. Improper use of lidocaine topical may result in death. Lidocaine topical comes in many different forms (gel, spray, cream, lotion, ointment, liquid, skin patch). Do not take by mouth. Lidocaine topical is for use only on the skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina, rinse with water. Use the smallest amount of medicine needed to numb the skin or relieve pain. Your body may absorb too much of this medicine 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. Do not apply this medicine 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. Do not cover treated skin unless your doctor has told you to. Lidocaine topical may be applied with your finger tips or a cotton swab. If your medicine comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep both used and unused lidocaine topical skin 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?Since lidocaine topical is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of numbing medicine can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood. Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), slowed breathing, coma, or respiratory failure (breathing stops). Lidocaine applied to the skin is not likely to cause an overdose unless you apply more than the recommended dose. What should I avoid while using lidocaine topical?Do not allow this medicine 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 accidentally injuring treated skin areas while they are numb. Avoid coming into contact with very hot or very cold surfaces. What are the possible side effects of lidocaine topical?Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: - severe burning, stinging, or irritation where the medicine was applied;
- swelling or redness;
- sudden dizziness or drowsiness after medicine is applied;
- confusion, blurred vision, ringing in your ears; or
- unusual sensations of temperature.
Common side effects include: - mild irritation where the medication is applied; or
- 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. What other drugs will affect lidocaine topical?It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied lidocaine. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Where can I get more information?Your pharmacist has information about lidocaine topical.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.06. Revision date: 6/24/2016.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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