adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride at a glance
Class
Amide local anaesthetic with a vasoconstrictor.
Licensed role
Regional anaesthesia in adults and children older than 1 year for the selected product.
Administration
Injected by a trained healthcare professional; not for self-administration.
Afterwards
Protect the numb area and follow the clinical team's advice about driving and machinery.
What is adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed for regional anaesthesia, where part of the body is numbed for a procedure or pain-relief block.
Numbing an area for surgery or another procedure.
Regional nerve blocks to prevent or relieve pain in an appropriate clinical setting.
How does adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride work?
Lidocaine temporarily blocks sodium channels in nearby nerves, stopping pain signals travelling to the brain. Adrenaline constricts local blood vessels, reducing lidocaine absorption into the circulation, increasing its local onset and duration, and reducing bleeding.
How to take adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride
A trained clinician injects the solution near the area or nerves requiring anaesthesia. You are observed during administration; the injection must be stopped if toxicity symptoms appear. Follow the treating service's instructions about food, drink, driving and activity.
Tell the team about previous local-anaesthetic reactions, sulphite sensitivity, asthma and all current medicines.
Report unusual sensations, hearing or visual changes, dizziness or palpitations immediately.
Move carefully and protect the numb area until sensation returns.
adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pins and needles or altered sensation
- Dizziness
- Slow heartbeat
- Low or high blood pressure
- Nausea or vomiting
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or bronchospasm, particularly with sulphite sensitivity
- Seizure, marked drowsiness, difficulty speaking or loss of consciousness
- Respiratory depression or stopped breathing
- Serious abnormal heartbeat, profound slowing of the heart or cardiac arrest
- Persistent weakness, numbness or other signs of nerve injury
adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Tell the procedural team if you are pregnant or could be pregnant. The selected SmPC advises avoiding lidocaine in early pregnancy unless expected benefit outweighs risk. Adrenaline may reduce uterine blood flow and contractility, particularly if accidentally injected into a maternal blood vessel.
adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Lidocaine enters breast milk in very small amounts, and harm to a breastfed infant is generally considered unlikely. It is unknown whether adrenaline enters milk, but an effect on the infant is considered unlikely. Tell the treating team, especially if the infant is premature or unwell.
adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride interactions
The procedural team should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal medicines before administration.
Other local anaesthetics or related antiarrhythmics such as mexiletine
Toxic effects on the nervous system and heart may be additive.
Class III antiarrhythmics such as amiodarone
Cardiac effects may be additive; closer surveillance and ECG monitoring may be appropriate.
Cimetidine or beta-blockers
They can reduce lidocaine clearance and increase exposure, particularly with repeated or prolonged administration.
Common questions about adrenaline tartrate + lidocaine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It is used for regional anaesthesia to numb part of the body during procedures or appropriate pain-relief blocks.
Why is adrenaline added?
It narrows nearby blood vessels, reducing bleeding and slowing lidocaine absorption so its local effect lasts longer.
Can it be injected intravenously?
No. The selected product must not be given intravenously because accidental intravascular administration can rapidly cause systemic toxicity.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.