What is lidocaine 5% ointment used for?
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.
Is lidocaine 5% ointment over-the-counter?
Lidocaine ointment Rx is available in both over-the-counter and prescription versions. Care must be taken when using this medication because it is possible for Lidocaine ointment to enter the bloodstream if too much medication is absorbed through the skin.
How long does it take lidocaine ointment to work?
It has a medicine called lidocaine in it that numbs the skin and the tissue around where it is put on the skin. It takes 30 minutes to work. The cream may stay on for 1 hour and will keep working for another hour after it comes off.
How do you use lidocaine 5 ointment?
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, use it as directed. Before use on the skin, clean and dry the affected area as directed. Apply a thin layer of medication to the affected area of skin, usually 2 to 3 times a day or as directed. If you are using the spray, shake the canister well before using.
Do you need a prescription for lidocaine cream?
Lidocaine belongs to the family of medicines called local anesthetics. This medicine prevents pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin. This medicine does not cause unconsciousness as general anesthetics do when used for surgery. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
What’s better benzocaine or lidocaine?
Lidocaine and benzocaine were equally efficient, and both were better than placebo in reducing pain caused by insertion of needles into the palate.
How often can you apply lidocaine cream?
Adults—Apply to the affected area 3 or 4 times a day. The largest amount of ointment that should be used in a single application is 5 grams. If you use the 5% ointment, this is about 6 inches of ointment from the tube. Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
What are side effects of lidocaine?
Side Effects
- Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms blurred or double vision.
- chest pain or discomfort.
- cold, clammy, pale skin.
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears.
- difficulty breathing.
- difficulty swallowing.
- dizziness or lightheadedness.
Can you get addicted to lidocaine?
Unlike cocaine, lidocaine is essentially devoid of activity at monoamine re-uptake transporters and has no rewarding or addictive properties.
Is there anything stronger than lidocaine?
Drug Absorption. OTC preparations showed the highest serum lidocaine and MEGX levels. Topicaine had the greatest serum levels of lidocaine absorption (0.808 µg/mL) for an individual, followed by generic EMLA (0.72 µg/mL), LMX-4 (0.44 µg/mL), BLT (0.17 µg/mL), and LET (0.13 µg/mL).
What are the side effects of topical lidocaine?
Lidocaine Topical Side Effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe burning, stinging, or irritation where the medicine was applied; swelling or redness;
How do I apply lidocaine ointment?
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying the medicine.
What are the strengths of lidocaine?
Common strengths are 1%, 2% and 4%. One percent lidocaine means that there is one gram of lidocaine in one hundred milliliters of liquid solution. In addition to being a very useful topical anesthetic, lidocaine also serves as a cardiac anti arrhythmic.
What is the maximum strength of lidocaine?
Maximum dose: 300 mg for normal healthy adult – not to exceed 4.5 mg/kg (2 mg/lb) Comments: -When spraying, transfer solution to an atomizer. -Dosage varies and depends on the area to be anesthetized, vascularity of the tissues, individual tolerance, and technique.