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]; DermacinRx Lidogel; Eha; First Care Pain Relief [OTC]; 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 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]; NeuroMed7 [OTC] [DSC]; Neurozyl; NumbCream [OTC]; Pain Relief Maximum Strength [OTC]; Pain Relieving [OTC] [DSC]; Pharmacist Choice Lidocaine [OTC]; Pharmacist Choice Pain Relief [OTC] [DSC]; Predator [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 ease pain caused by shingles.
• It is used to treat mouth sores.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

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

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and all skin products:

• If there is an infection where this drug will be used.
• If you have broken skin or open wounds where the drug will be used.
• If you have swollen skin, numbness, or are 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 your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your 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 doctor if you have 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 you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Rectal cream, rectal gel, and all skin products:

• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin. This includes soaps.
• Do not use this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• Do not scratch or rub the skin while it is numb. Do not let it get very hot or very cold.
• Do not put on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin unless the doctor tells you to.
• 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 temperature may rise and cause too much drug to pass into your 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 and skin system:

• If you have 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 your doctor if any of these effects are very bad, bother you, or do not go away.
• You 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.

Skin patch:

• Do not get this drug wet. It may not stick. Do not bathe, swim, or shower while you are wearing this drug.

Skin system (ZTlido):

• This skin system may be worn in water for a short time. This includes showering for 10 minutes or bathing for 15 minutes. After it gets wet, dry by gently patting the skin. Do not rub the skin or skin system.
• This drug may be put on after use of moderate heat like after 15 minutes of using a heating pad on a medium setting. This drug may also be used during moderate exercise like biking for 30 minutes.

All oral products:

• Do not eat while your mouth feels numb. You may bite your tongue.

What are some side effects that I need to call my 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 doctor or get medical help right away if you have 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 doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you 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 doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Rectal cream and gel:

• Wash your 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.

Suppository:

• Use suppository rectally.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Put suppository into the rectum with gentle pressure, pointed end first. Do not handle too much.

All skin products:

• Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• If you get this drug in any of these areas, rinse well with water.
• Wash your hands before and after use. If your hand is the treated area, do not wash your hand 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 face, spray it on your hand or gauze and then put it on your face.

Skin patch and skin system:

• Put on the most painful parts of the skin.
• Trim to cover the affected skin.
• Put 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 or systems than you have been told by the doctor.
• If the skin patch or system loosens at the edges, press the edges firmly. If it comes off, try to put it back on. If you cannot put the skin patch or system back on, put on a new one.
• After you take off a skin patch or system, be sure to fold the sticky sides to each other. Throw away used patches, used systems, and pieces that were cut 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 using as a rinse, swish it in mouth as long as you can. Swallow or spit out as you are told.
• If putting on with a cotton swab, put on affected part as your doctor or the label tells you.
• Do not eat anything for at least 60 minutes (1 hour) after you use this drug.

Oral liquid:

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

What do I do if I miss a dose?

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

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

All products:

• Store at room temperature.
• 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.

Suppository:

• Protect from heat.

All skin products other than skin patch and skin system:

• Do not freeze.

Skin liquid and spray:

• Protect from heat or open flame.

Spray:

• Do not puncture.

Skin patch and skin system:

• Store in the envelope that this drug comes in to help keep away from children. Do not open the envelope until you are ready to use this drug.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your 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.