Lidocaine is used to temporarily numb and relieve pain
from minor burns (including sunburn), skin abrasions, insect bites, and
other painful conditions affecting mucous membranes. Some lidocaine
products are used to numb the lining of the mouth or throat before certain
medical/dental procedures. It is also used to decrease pain while dentures
are being fitted and while your gums are adjusting to the dentures. It
should not be used long-term to decrease pain from poorly fitting dentures.
Lidocaine belongs to a class of drugs called local
anesthetics.
This product should not be used to treat teething pain
in infants and young children due to an increased risk of serious side
effects. Talk to the doctor for more details and for other ways to treat
teething pain.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using lidocaine and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Before certain medical/dental procedures, this
medication is usually applied by a health care professional. If you are
applying this medication yourself, use as directed by your dentist or
doctor.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. Apply a thin
layer, using the smallest amount needed to cover the affected area. The
dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Children's dosage is also based on age and weight.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of side effects will increase.
If you are using lidocaine ointment to help relieve the
pain from new dentures, apply the ointment with clean hands to all the
surfaces of the dentures that touch your gums. To lessen the amount of
lidocaine that may be swallowed, do not apply the ointment to the chewing
surfaces of your dentures. Continue to consult your dentist regularly
during the fitting process. Follow your dentist's instructions carefully.
Wash your hands after use.
When this medication is used in the mouth or throat,
numbness may make swallowing difficult and increase your risk of swallowing
the wrong way or choking. Do not chew gum or eat for 1 hour after using
this product and while your mouth or throat is numb. It is especially
important for children to not eat or chew gum for at least 1 hour after
using this product. Be careful not to accidentally bite your tongue or
mouth.
If you are applying this medication to other mucous
membranes or the skin, clean the affected area before use, if possible, and
apply with clean hands as directed. For broken or burned skin, you may
apply the ointment with a sterile gauze pad. Wash your hands after use
unless you are treating an area on the hands.
Lidocaine starts to numb the affected area within 5
minutes after application. If you are using this product before certain
procedures, tell your doctor if the area does not feel numb or the numbness
does not go away. If you are using this product to relieve pain/discomfort,
tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Mild stinging or burning may occur. If any of these
effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may cause very serious side effects if
you are using too much of it or are very sensitive to its effects. Stop
using this medication and get medical help right away if you have any very
serious side effects, including:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- slow/shallow breathing
- mental/mood changes (such as confusion, nervousness)
- shaking
- seizures
- vision changes (such as double/blurred vision)
- ringing in the ears
- fainting
- pale/bluish/gray skin
- unusual tiredness
- shortness of breath
- fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using lidocaine, tell your doctor, dentist, or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anesthetics (including
amide-type anesthetics such as bupivacaine, prilocaine); or if you have any
other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can
cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor, dentist,
or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- cuts/sores/bleeding in the area where this drug will be
applied
- severe infection with high fever
- heart problems (such as slow/irregular heartbeat, heart
block)
- severe shock
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- a certain blood disorder (methemoglobinemia)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause vision
problems if you are using too much of it or are very sensitive to its
effects. See Side Effects section. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make
you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that
needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of
this drug.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely
to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other
lidocaine products at the same time as this medication because your risk of
serious side effects may increase.
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone
has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble
breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US
residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call
1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: vision/hearing changes,
severe dizziness/drowsiness, fainting, loss of consciousness, shaking,
seizures, slow/irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep all
medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.