Lidocaine 1% Injection

Local anaesthetic (and antiarrhythmic) for:

• Numbing skin and tissues for minor surgery, stitches, dental procedures, injections (infiltration and nerve blocks)
• Gel/spray/ointment: numbing before catheters or procedures, mouth ulcers, painful haemorrhoids, minor burns and itching
• Patches: nerve pain after shingles
• IV (hospital): ventricular arrhythmias

Local injection (adults): dose depends on the procedure — maximum 4.5 mg/kg (about 300 mg) without adrenaline; 7 mg/kg (about 500 mg) with adrenaline.

Topical gel/ointment (2–5%): apply a thin layer to the area as needed; do not exceed the maximum daily amount on the pack.

Spray (10%): a few sprays as directed (each spray about 10 mg).

Children: lower doses by weight only by professionals.

IV antiarrhythmic: in hospital only.

• Avoid eating or drinking for 1 hour after use in the mouth or throat (risk of choking or burns).

• Allergy to lidocaine or amide-type local anaesthetics
• Complete heart block or severe heart conduction problems (IV/systemic use)
• Adrenaline-containing injections must not be used in fingers, toes, nose, ears or penis

Local: stinging, redness, swelling, numbness lasting longer than expected.

If too much is absorbed: dizziness, ringing in ears, metallic taste, numb lips/tongue, drowsiness, confusion, tremor, seizures, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure.

Rare: allergic reactions, methaemoglobinaemia (bluish skin, breathlessness — especially in infants).

• Do not apply large amounts over large or broken skin areas, or under tight dressings.
• Use with care in epilepsy, heart conduction problems, liver disease, the elderly.
• Teething gels with lidocaine are not recommended for babies.

Local use is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding (e.g. dental anaesthesia).

• Other antiarrhythmics (amiodarone) and beta-blockers (more heart effects)
• Cimetidine, propranolol (raise lidocaine levels)
• Other local anaesthetics (additive toxicity)

Numbness of mouth, dizziness, seizures, heart rhythm disturbances, collapse — emergency treatment (lipid emulsion in hospital).

Store below 30°C. Do not freeze.