lidocaine topical

An overdose of numbing medications can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood. This is more likely to occur when using a numbing medicine without the advice of a medical doctor (such as during a cosmetic procedure like laser hair removal). Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), coma, slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops).

Your body may absorb more of this medication 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.

Use the smallest amount of this medication needed to numb the skin or relieve pain. Do not use large amounts of lidocaine topical, or cover treated skin areas with a bandage or plastic wrap without medical advice. Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are performed without a medical doctor present.

Keep both used and unused lidocaine topical 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.

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Lidocaine topical 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, hemorrhoids, and burns. Lidocaine topical is also used to treat sores inside the mouth, during dental procedures to numb the gums, and to numb the skin for a medical procedure (such as getting stiches).

Lidocaine topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

An overdose of numbing medications can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin and into your blood. This is more likely to occur when using a numbing medicine without the advice of a medical doctor (such as during a cosmetic procedure like laser hair removal). Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), coma, slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops).

Do not use lidocaine topical if you are allergic to any other type of numbing medicine.

Before using lidocaine topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease, or broken, swollen, or damaged skin. You may not be able to use lidocaine topical, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Lidocaine topical can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.

Lidocaine topical comes in many different forms for different uses. Lidocaine topical cream, lotion, spray, solution, film, and transdermal patch are generally for use on the skin only. Lidocaine topical gel, mucus membrane solution, and oral spray are for use in the mouth or on the gums.

If your medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Your body may absorb more of this medication 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.

Use the smallest amount of this medication needed to numb the skin or relieve pain. Do not use large amounts of lidocaine topical, or cover treated skin areas with a bandage or plastic wrap without medical advice. Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are performed without a medical doctor present.

Do not apply this medication 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.

Lidocaine topical may be applied with your finger tips or a cotton swab. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store lidocaine topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep both used and unused lidocaine topical 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.

Since lidocaine topical is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Lidocaine topical applied to the skin is not likely to cause an overdose unless you apply more than the recommended dose. Overdose may also occur if you apply heat, bandages, or plastic wrap to treated skin areas.

Improper use of lidocaine topical may result in death.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, nervousness, ringing in your ears, blurred vision, feeling hot or cold, numbness, muscle twitches, uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops), or coma.

If you are using a lidocaine topical form meant only for use on the skin, do not allow the 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 using other topical medications on the affected area unless your doctor has told you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using lidocaine topical and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• uneven heartbeats;
• drowsiness, confusion;
• tremors, seizure (convulsions); or
• blurred vision.

Less serious side effects include:

• mild irritation, redness, or swelling where the medication is applied;
• numbness in places where the medicine is accidentally applied.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before using lidocaine topical, tell your doctor if you are taking medication to treat a heart rhythm disorder, such as:

• quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute);
• disopyramide (Norpace);
• flecainide (Tambocor);
• mexiletine (Mexitil);
• procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl);
• tocainide (Tonocard); or
• propafenone (Rythmol).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use lidocaine topical, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect lidocaine topical. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist has information about lidocaine topical written for health professionals that you may read.