Lidocaine Hydrochloride
About Lidocaine Hydrochloride
The injection known as Lidocaine Hydrochloride is a medication used to prevent pain by numbing specific parts of the body during medical, dental, or surgical procedures. It is also used in emergencies to treat serious, irregular heartbeats that can occur after a heart attack or during cardiac surgery. By blocking pain signals and stabilising the heart's rhythm, it helps patients undergo procedures comfortably and safely.
Because it is injected by a healthcare professional, it is typically used as a single dose for procedures or as a continuously monitored, short-term treatment. There are no general food or drink restrictions before receiving this injection unless specifically instructed by your doctor for your procedure. Following your doctor's post-treatment recovery plan is the best way to support the medication's effects and ensure safe healing.
Before receiving this medication, talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver damage, kidney disease, or lung issues. Do not take this if you have certain types of severe heart block or a known allergy to similar numbing medicines.
This injection can interact with other heart medications and beta-blockers, which may increase the risk of side effects. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor to ensure this treatment is safe for your specific situation. This medicine may be used in children when appropriate. The dose is carefully calculated based on the child's age and body weight and is given only by a trained healthcare professional.
Uses of Lidocaine Hydrochloride
Medicinal Benefits
When taken consistently as directed, this injection may provide the following health benefits:
- Provides rapid pain relief: Helps numb the treated area within minutes, allowing medical or dental procedures to be performed more comfortably.
- Supports comfortable procedures: Provides localised numbness so you can remain awake during appropriate procedures, avoiding the need for general anaesthesia in many cases.
- Helps control abnormal heart rhythms: When used in emergency cardiac care, it helps restore and stabilise normal heart rhythm under close medical supervision.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Lidocaine Hydrochloride will be administered by the doctor or healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Lidocaine Hydrochloride
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Numbness, tingling, or a warm feeling in the treated area
- Redness, bruising, or mild swelling where the injection was given
- Nausea or shivering
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing (signs of an allergic reaction)
- Extremely slow heart rate, weak pulse, or chest pain
- Confusion, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, or double vision
- Tremors, muscle twitching, or seizures
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the injection: Your healthcare provider should ensure the solution is clear and free of any particles or discolouration before use.
- Close monitoring: If lidocaine is given for an abnormal heart rhythm, your healthcare team will closely monitor your heart rhythm (ECG), blood pressure, and other vital signs throughout treatment.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery: Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness until the numbness and any drowsiness have completely worn off.
- Allergy: Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to lidocaine, other amide-type local anaesthetics, or any of the ingredients in the formulation.
- Inform about recent anaesthetics: Tell your healthcare team if you have received any other numbing medicines (local anaesthetics) or anaesthetics within the last 24 hours.
- Seek emergency medical help immediately: Get medical help straight away if you develop any serious side effects of medicine, as lidocaine in the bloodstream can cause local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).
Drug Interactions
- Beta-blockers (like propranolol): May decrease the breakdown of the injection, which can increase its levels in your body and raise the risk of side effects.
- Other local anaesthetics: May increase the risk of toxic effects when used together, as their numbing actions can add up.
- Cimetidine: Can slow down how your body processes this medicine, leading to higher levels in your blood.
- Antiarrhythmic medicines: Medicines used to treat abnormal heart rhythms such as amiodarone or mexiletine may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems or other side effects when used with lidocaine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol affects Lidocaine Hydrochloride. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Lidocaine Hydrochloride can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionAvoid driving or operating machinery as Lidocaine Hydrochloride may cause dizziness, drowsiness and loss of sensation.
Liver
cautionLidocaine Hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionLidocaine Hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Lidocaine Hydrochloride in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid eating: Do not eat solid foods or chew gum while your mouth or tongue is numb to help prevent accidental biting.
- Avoid hot food and drinks: Wait until the numbness has completely worn off before consuming hot foods or drinks to help prevent burns.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol: If you received this medicine for a heart condition, limit caffeine and avoid alcohol if advised by your doctor, as they may trigger abnormal heart rhythms in some people.
- Rest after the procedure: Rest and avoid strenuous physical activity immediately after your procedure, and follow any instructions given by your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Local anaesthesia: It causes numbing/loss of sensation to a specific area of the body. It is used to treat pain, or to prevent pain during surgery or medical procedure.
Ventricular arrhythmia: Ventricular arrhythmia is a condition in which abnormal heartbeats originate in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). This limits/prevents the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms include palpitations (a feeling as if the heart is pounding), chest pain, fainting, sweating, shortness of breath, and light-headedness.
FAQs
Lidocaine Hydrochloride is indicated for the production of regional or local anaesthesia. Additionally, it is also used in the management of ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat) associated with acute myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery.
Lidocaine Hydrochloride blocks the influx (entry) of sodium ions into the membrane that surrounds the nerves, thereby preventing initiation and conduction of impulses and hence providing an anaesthetic effect. Lidocaine Hydrochloride blocks cardiac sodium channels, thereby treats arrhythmia.
Lidocaine Hydrochloride may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure). Therefore, regular monitoring of blood pressure whilst on treatment with Lidocaine Hydrochloride is advised.
Nausea and vomiting might be a side effect of Lidocaine Hydrochloride. It is not necessary for everyone taking Lidocaine Hydrochloride to experience this side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Lidocaine Hydrochloride might increase creatinine phosphokinase levels. Therefore, if you are undergoing any tests, inform the person doing the tests that you have taken Lidocaine Hydrochloride.
If the injection was used in or near your mouth, you should wait to eat until the numbness has completely worn off to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Talk to your doctor for specific post-procedure instructions.
You may feel a brief pinch or stinging sensation as the needle is inserted and the liquid enters the tissue, but the area will quickly become numb. Talk to your doctor if you are anxious about needles or pain.
Yes, it is often used during pregnancy, particularly for dental work or epidurals during labour, but it must be used with caution. Talk to your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks for your specific situation.
Yes, mild drowsiness or lightheadedness can occur after receiving this injection, especially if it enters the bloodstream. Talk to your doctor if you feel excessively sleepy or confused.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of heart, liver, or kidney problems, or if you have had an allergic reaction to any numbing medicine in the past. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to review your medical history.
While it is used to treat certain heart rhythm issues, it can be risky for people with specific heart conditions like severe heart block. Talk to your doctor to determine if this medication is safe for your heart.
