Lidocaine (Topical

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

7T Lido [DSC]; Abreva Rapid Pain Relief [OTC]; Alocane Emergency Burn Max Str [OTC]; Alocane First Aid Spray [OTC]; Alocane Max Emer Burn w/ Anti [OTC]; Alocane Max [OTC]; Alocane Plus [OTC]; AneCream [OTC]; AneCream5 [OTC]; Asperflex Lidocaine [OTC]; Asperflex Max St [OTC]; Asperflex Pain Relieving [OTC]; Astero; Bactine Max Dry Spray [OTC]; Bactine Max Spray [OTC]; Bactine Max [OTC]; Blue Tube/ Aloe [OTC] [DSC]; Bruselix; Burn Gel [OTC]; Cinthera [OTC]; DermacinRx Lidogel; Eha; First Care Pain Relief [OTC] [DSC]; FT Pain Relief Max Strength [OTC]; Gen7T [DSC]; Glydo; GoodSense Burn Relief [OTC]; HealthWise Pain Relief [OTC]; Jelcaine Sterile [OTC]; LDO Plus; LevigoSP [OTC]; Lido King [OTC]; Lido-Sorb; Lidocaine Max St 24 Hours [OTC]; Lidocaine Pain Relief Max St [OTC]; Lidocaine Pain Relief [OTC]; Lidocaine Pain Relieving [OTC]; Lidocaine Plus [OTC]; Lidocan; Lidocanna [OTC]; Lidocore [OTC]; Lidoderm; LidoDose Pediatric Bulk Pack [OTC]; LidoDose [OTC]; LidoFore Flexipatch [OTC] [DSC]; Lidogel [OTC] [DSC]; LidoHeal-90 [OTC] [DSC]; LidoLite [DSC]; Lidopac [DSC]; Lidopin; LidoPure Patch; Lidorex; LidoRx; Lidosol [DSC]; Lidosol-50 [DSC]; Lidotral; Lidotral 1; Lidotral Roll-On; Lidotran; Lidotrex (Aloe Vera) [DSC]; Lidotrode [OTC]; Lidovix L; Lipocaine 5 [OTC]; LMX 4 Plus [OTC]; LMX 4 [OTC]; LMX 5 [OTC]; Lubricaine [OTC]; Lydexa; Medi-First Burn Spray [OTC]; Moxicaine [DSC]; Neurozyl; NumbCream [OTC]; Pain Relief Maximum Strength [OTC]; Pain Relieving [OTC] [DSC]; Pharmacist Choice Lidocaine [OTC]; Pharmacist Choice Pain Relief [OTC] [DSC]; Premium Lidocaine; Proxivol; RadiaGuard Advanced [OTC]; Re-Lieved Maximum Strength [OTC]; RectaSmoothe [OTC]; RectiCare [OTC]; RectoProtect [OTC]; Salonpas Pain Relieving [OTC]; Sun Burnt Plus [OTC]; TheraCare Lidocaine Max Str [OTC]; TheraCare Pain Relief [OTC]; Theraworx Diabet Pain Roll-On [OTC]; Theraworx PM Pain Relf Roll-On [OTC]; Topicaine 5 [OTC]; Topicaine [OTC]; Tridacaine; Tridacaine II; Tridacaine III; Trilocaine; Trilogel [OTC]; True Lido [OTC]; Ultra Lido [OTC]; Venipuncture Px1 Phlebotomy; XeroBurn [OTC]; Xolido XP [OTC] [DSC]; Xolido [OTC] [DSC]; Xyliderm; ZiloVal [DSC]; Zingo [DSC]; Zionodil; Zionodil 100; ZTlido; Zylotrol-L [OTC] [DSC]

Brand Names: Canada

Cathejell; Jelido; Lidodan; Lidodan Endotracheal; Xylocaine; Xylocaine Spray

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to manage pain.
• It is used to treat painful nerve diseases.
• It is used to treat signs of hemorrhoids or rectal irritation.
• It is used to treat mouth sores.
• It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Skin system (ZTlido) and suppositories:

• If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

All products:

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and all skin products:

• If there is an infection where this drug will be used.
• If your child has broken skin or open wounds where the drug will be used.
• If your child has swollen skin, numbness, or is not able to feel pain where the drug will be used.

All skin products:

• If a large area needs to be treated.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• A severe blood problem called methemoglobinemia has happened with drugs like this one. The risk may be raised in people who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, heart problems, or lung problems. The risk may also be raised while taking certain other drugs and in infants younger than 6 months of age. Tell your child’s doctor if your child has ever had methemoglobinemia.
• Different brands of this drug may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before giving this drug to a child.
• If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and all skin products:

• Talk with your child’s doctor before you use other drugs or products on your child’s skin. This includes soaps.
• Do not give this drug to your child for longer than you were told by the doctor.
• Do not let your child scratch or rub the skin while it is numb. Do not let the skin get very hot or very cold.
• Do not put on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin unless the doctor tells you to.
• Have your child avoid use of heat sources (such as sunlamps, tanning beds, heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds). Avoid long, hot baths or sunbathing. Your child’s temperature may rise and cause too much drug to pass into your child’s body.

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and skin products other than skin patch and skin system:

• This drug may cause harm if swallowed. If this drug is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.

Skin patch:

• Do not let your child get the patch wet. It may not stick. Do not let your child bathe, swim, or shower while wearing the patch.
• If your child has burning or other irritation where this drug is put on, take it off. Wait until the irritation goes away to put back on.
• It is common to have skin reactions where this drug is put on during or right after treatment. This includes blisters, bruising, burning or abnormal feeling, change in color, swelling, redness, pain, itching, peeling, flaking, or pimples. Most of the time, these skin reactions go away within a few minutes to hours. Call the doctor if any of these effects are severe, bother your child, or do not go away.
• Your child may wear clothing over the area where this drug is placed.
• This drug may cause harm if chewed or swallowed. This includes used patches. If this drug has been put in the mouth, call a doctor or poison control center right away.

All oral products:

• Do not let your child eat while their mouth feels numb. Biting of the tongue could happen.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

All products:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of too much acid in the blood (acidosis) like confusion; fast breathing; fast heartbeat; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; very bad stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up; feeling very sleepy; shortness of breath; or feeling very tired or weak.
• Signs of methemoglobinemia like a blue or gray color of the lips, nails, or skin; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; seizures; severe dizziness or passing out; severe headache; feeling very sleepy; feeling tired or weak; or shortness of breath. This effect is rare but may be deadly if it happens.
• Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
• Very bad numbness and tingling.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, confused, or having blurred eyesight.
• Seizures.
• Change in eyesight.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Ringing in ears.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Feeling hot or cold.
• Shakiness.
• Twitching.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Chest pain.

All skin products:

• Signs of skin infection like oozing, heat, swelling, redness, or pain.

All rectal products:

• Bleeding from rectum or rectal pain.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

All products:

• Irritation where this drug was used.

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and skin products other than skin patch and skin system:

• Swelling.
• Redness.
• Change in color of skin.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Rectal cream and gel:

• Wash hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• Put this drug on as you have been told by the doctor or on the package labeling.

All skin products:

• Do not give by mouth. Use on your child’s skin only. Keep out of your child’s mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• If this drug gets in any of these areas, have your child rinse well with water.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
• Put on clean, dry, healthy skin.
• Do not use coverings (bandages, dressings) unless told to do so by the doctor.

Skin liquid and spray:

• This drug may catch on fire. Do not use near an open flame or while smoking.
• Some of these drugs need to be shaken before use. Be sure you know if this product needs to be shaken before using it.

Spray:

• If you are using the spray for your child’s face, spray it on your hand or gauze and then put it on your child’s face.

Skin patch:

• Put on the most painful parts of the skin.
• Trim patch to cover the affected skin.
• Put patch on at the same time of day.
• Different products may be left on the skin for different amounts of time. Be sure you know how long this drug can be worn before you need to take it off. Be sure you know how long to wait before you can put on another patch or skin system. Do not wear for longer than you have been told. If you have questions, talk to the doctor.
• Do not put on more skin patches than you have been told by the doctor.
• If the patch loosens at the edges, press the edges firmly. If it comes off, try to put it back on. If you cannot put the patch back on, put on a new one.
• After you take off a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Throw away used patches where children and pets cannot get to them.
• Some of these drugs may catch on fire. Do not use near an open flame or while smoking.

All oral products:

• If giving as a rinse, have your child swish it in the mouth as long as your child can. Have your child swallow or spit out as told by the doctor.
• If putting on with a cotton swab, put on affected part as your doctor or the label tells you.
• Do not let your child eat anything for at least 60 minutes (1 hour) after using this drug.

Oral liquid:

• Shake well before use.
• Measure liquid doses carefully.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• If your child uses this drug on a regular basis, give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not put on 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis. Do not give to your child more often than told by the doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All products:

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Skin liquid and spray:

• Protect from heat or open flame.

Spray:

• Do not puncture.

Skin patch:

• Store in the pouch that comes with this drug to help keep away from children.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-02-16

Copyright

© 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.