lidocaine
Lidocaine (Xylocaine), also known by the brand name Xylocaine MPF, is a local or regional anesthetic. It's given as an injection by a healthcare provider to numb a specific area of the body before certain procedures. It can be given by different routes, including through the veins (IV) or into the skin. Common side effects include headaches, back pain, and dizziness.
What is Lidocaine (Xylocaine)?
What is Lidocaine (Xylocaine) used for?
- Local or regional anesthesia for surgeries or procedures
How Lidocaine (Xylocaine) works
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) eases pain by numbing the nerves and making them less sensitive to pain. It's a local anesthetic, meaning it only lowers pain in the area closely around or directly in contact with where the medication is injected.
Drug facts
Side effects of Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (3%)
- Back pain (3%)
- Shivering (2%)
Please note: These are common side effects reported by adults who received lidocaine (Xylocaine) in the spine.
Less Common Side Effects
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Ringing in the ear
- Blurry vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Double vision
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blood problems (methemoglobinemia): seizures, loss of consciousness, fast heart beat, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or faint, feeling tired, skin color turning blue
- Too much lidocaine in your body: drowsiness, confusion, slow heart beat, trouble breathing, difficulty controlling muscle movements
- Serious allergic reactions: swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, trouble speaking, throat tightening up, red and itchy rash, lightheadedness, clammy skin
The following Lidocaine (Xylocaine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Blurred vision or other changes in vision
burning feeling at site of application
redness of the white part of eyes or inside of eyelids
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Headache
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Pros
- Can work directly in the area of the injection
- Doesn't "put you under" compared to general anesthetics
- Can be used for different procedures and surgeries
Cons
- Not recommended for people with severe liver problems because of higher risk of side effects
- Young children have a higher risk of a serious blood condition from this medication
- Can cause dangerous heart and lung problems, such as slow heart rate and breathing
Pharmacist tips for Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
- Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is a local anesthetic that's used to numb an area of your body during procedures and surgeries. Typically you'll not be put under while receiving this medication.
- Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is usually given in a hospital that has the staff and equipment needed to respond to any life-threatening allergic reactions or side effects right away. Plan for some extra time after the procedure so the provider can check your vitals to make sure this medication is safe for you.
- Lidocaine (Xylocaine) might cause severe side effects in people with liver problems. This is because it's broken down by the liver, so if the liver doesn't work properly, it can cause toxic levels of the medication to build up in your body. Make sure to let your provider know if you've a history of liver problems.
Common questions about Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
No, lidocaine (Xylocaine) isn't a narcotic. It's a local or regional anesthetic, which means it lowers your ability to feel pain in a specific area where it's injected. This medication works by preventing nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. This allows your provider to operate on a specific area without you feeling any pain.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) can make you sleepy, but it doesn't put you to sleep like general anesthesia. Typically, if your provider is using lidocaine (Xylocaine) for your surgery, you'll likely stay awake during the procedure. If you feel drowsy or confused from the injection, let your provider know right away. Rarely, these can be symptoms of too much lidocaine (Xylocaine) in your blood.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) can be used for different surgeries and procedures to relieve pain in a specific area. For example, it can be injected into the nerves that affect the vaginal canal to relieve pain during child birth. It can also be given in other procedures, such as peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) or lumbar punctures, to minimize pain and discomfort from the procedures.
How long lidocaine (Xylocaine) lasts depends on many factors, such as the volume and concentration of medication you receive, where it's injected, and the type of medical procedure you're getting. A study shows that for minor surgeries, lidocaine (Xylocaine) will typically last between 1 hour to 2 hours after your last injection. If you experience pain during the procedure, let your provider know.
How quickly lidocaine (Xylocaine) works is dependent on the amount of medication you receive and the type of medical procedure you're going through. Typically, this medication starts to work in less than 2 minutes after injection. If you continue to experience pain after your injection, let your provider know.
If you're pregnant and about to undergo a procedure, ask your provider about the risks and benefits of receiving anesthesia. Lidocaine (Xylocaine) hasn't been well-studied in human pregnancies. But limited reports suggest that it doesn't raise the risk for birth defects if used during pregnancy. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association list lidocaine (Xylocaine) as an option to help with pain during or after delivery.
It's possible. You can be allergic to lidocaine (Xylocaine) if you have a history of allergy to similar pain medications, such as procaine, bupivacaine or topical lidocaine. In addition, if you've been allergic to methylparaben (a preservative) in the past, make sure to tell your provider before using lidocaine (Xylocaine). There are some versions that don't have this preservative (e.g., Xylocaine MPF). During your medical procedure, your provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as hives, shortness of breath, swelling of your face, lips, or throat.
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Risks and warnings for Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Brain, heart, and lungs problems
- Risk factors: Receiving a high dose of lidocaine (Xylocaine) | History of heart or lung problems | Use in the head and neck area
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) can potentially cause your breathing to slow down or stop completely. It can also cause low blood pressure, low heart rate, and a condition in which your heart isn't strong enough to beat. As a result, your provider' will monitor your heart and breathing while using lidocaine (Xylocaine) for local anesthesia to make sure you're not having a bad reaction to the medication. If you feel restless, drowsy, anxious, dizzy, or have ringing in the ear, blurry vision, and tremor, let your provider know right away. These might be early signs and symptoms of brain problems caused by lidocaine (Xylocaine).
Serious allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergic to lidocaine or similar medications | Allergic to methylparaben
Rarely, lidocaine (Xylocaine) can cause allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening. Your risk is higher if you've been allergic to medications with lidocaine, similar local anesthetics, or methylparaben (preservative) in the past. Make sure to let your provider know a history of your medical allergies before your injection. Depending on your allergy history, your provider might choose another anesthetic that's safer for you. Your provider will also monitor you for serious allergic reactions during and after your procedure. Let a healthcare provider know immediately if you experience symptoms such as itching, swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing, and rash.
Blood problem (methemoglobinemia)
- Risk factors: History of methemoglobinemia | History of low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) | Heart or lung problems | Age 6 months or younger | Exposure to other oxidizing agents, such as chlorine and hydrogen peroxide
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious blood problem where your red blood cells cannot bring enough oxygen to your body. Your risk is higher if you have low G6PD, a condition passed down from parent to child, where your red blood cells tend to burst or break apart. Be careful receiving lidocaine (Xylocaine) if you've been around oxidizing chemicals, such as chlorine and hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals might be present in common household products like cleaning supplies and hair dye. Methemoglobinemia can occur immediately or within hours of using lidocaine (Xylocaine). Earliest signs include headache, tiredness, and your skin turning blue. Let your provider know if you experience these symptoms right away during treatment to avoid more serious and life-threatening side effects like seizures, loss of consciousness, and heart rhythm problems (fast heart beat, dizziness, shortness of breath).
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) dosage
Typical dosage for Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is usually given in a hospital or medical clinic setting. The dose of lidocaine (Xylocaine) depends on your weight, the type of surgery or procedure, and how you respond to the treatment.
- In general, the typical dose can range from 5 mg to 300 mg injected into the body before or during your procedure by a healthcare provider. Your provider will give you the lowest effective dose needed for your procedure.
Interactions between Lidocaine (Xylocaine) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Dihydroergotamine
- Dronedarone
- Saquinavir
- Vernakalant
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amifampridine
- Amiodarone
- Amprenavir
- Arbutamine
- Atazanavir
- Bupivacaine Liposome
- Bupropion
- Cobicistat
- Dasabuvir
- Delavirdine
- Disopyramide
- Donepezil
- Encainide
- Etravirine
- Flecainide
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosphenytoin
- Hyaluronidase
- Lopinavir
- Metoprolol
- Mexiletine
- Moricizine
- Nadolol
- Phenytoin
- Procainamide
- Propafenone
- Quinidine
- Sotalol
- Succinylcholine
- Telaprevir
- Tocainide
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Lidocaine (Xylocaine) cost?
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Lidocaine (Xylocaine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
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