What is lidocaine injection?
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.
Lidocaine injection is used to numb an area of your body to help reduce pain or discomfort caused by invasive medical procedures such as surgery, needle punctures, or insertion of a catheter or breathing tube.
Lidocaine injection is also given in an epidural (spinal block) to reduce the discomfort of contractions during labor.
Lidocaine injection is sometimes used to treat irregular heart rhythms that may signal a possible heart attack.
Lidocaine injection may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about lidocaine injection?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to lidocaine or any other type of numbing medicine.
Before you receive lidocaine injection, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems, or a history of malignant hyperthermia.
To treat irregular heart rhythms, your doctor may prescribe a LidoPen auto-injector. This is a prefilled automatic injection device to be used in an emergency. Keep the device with you at all times.
Your doctor will describe the signs and symptoms to watch for when deciding when it's time to use lidocaine injection at home. Never use the LidoPen auto-injector without first calling your doctor.
With the LidoPen auto-injector you will also receive a CardioBeeper to transmit your heart rate and rhythm to your doctor over a telephone. Read all provided instructions and practice using the CardioBeeper.
Lidocaine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Unless absolutely necessary, do not drive after using this medication
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving lidocaine injection?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to lidocaine or any other type of numbing medicine.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use lidocaine injection:
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.
It is not known whether lidocaine injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.