lidocaine at a glance
Medicine class
Amide local anaesthetic
Licensed roles
Numbing intact skin before selected procedures; relieving post-herpetic neuralgia in adults
Skin care
Avoid damaged, inflamed or irritated skin and protect numb skin from injury, heat and cold
What is lidocaine used for?
The selected products have different licensed uses:
LMX4 cream produces surface anaesthesia on intact skin before venous cannulation, venepuncture or appropriate painful topical treatment.
The medicated plaster relieves post-herpetic neuralgia—persistent nerve pain after shingles—in adults.
How does lidocaine work?
Lidocaine blocks sodium-dependent electrical signalling in nearby nerves, temporarily reducing pain impulses. The plaster also provides a protective hydrogel covering over hypersensitive skin.
lidocaine preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 4% w/w
How to take lidocaine
Use only the formulation intended for the condition and follow its leaflet or clinician’s instructions. Apply cream evenly to intact skin without rubbing it in, keep it undisturbed if directed, then remove it before the procedure and wash your hands. Apply plasters only to intact, dry, non-irritated skin after shingles has healed; they may be cut before removing the release liner. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes, and protect numb skin from scratching, rubbing, heat or cold.
Tell the person performing a procedure that lidocaine cream has been applied.
If cream enters an eye, rinse immediately with water or saline and protect the eye until sensation returns.
Fold used plasters adhesive-side inward before disposal.
lidocaine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Application-site redness, irritation, itching or rash
- Tingling, mild swelling or temporary paling of treated skin
- Burning or dermatitis beneath a medicated plaster
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Possible systemic toxicity: marked dizziness or drowsiness, blurred vision, tremor, breathing difficulty, seizure, chest pain or abnormal heartbeat
- Significant eye pain or irritation after accidental cream exposure
lidocaine in pregnancy
The NHS considers lidocaine skin cream acceptable during pregnancy. Product information advises using the cream only when needed and the plaster only when clearly necessary, so discuss the formulation and reason for treatment with a prescriber or pharmacist.
lidocaine while breastfeeding
Topical lidocaine is generally compatible with breastfeeding because infant exposure through milk is expected to be very low. Keep cream and plasters away from the breast and nipple, wash your hands after handling them, and seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell.
lidocaine interactions
Interactions are unlikely with correctly used topical products, but systemic effects can add together if exposure increases.
Other local anaesthetics or lidocaine-containing products
Combined exposure may increase systemic toxicity; account for lidocaine from every formulation.
Class I antiarrhythmics, such as mexiletine
Cardiac and neurological effects may be additive.
Common questions about lidocaine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is lidocaine used for?
Topical lidocaine can numb intact skin before certain procedures. A selected medicated plaster is licensed for persistent nerve pain after shingles in adults.
Are lidocaine cream and plasters interchangeable?
No. They have different licensed uses, application methods and safety instructions; use the formulation selected for the specific purpose.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.