What is Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

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:

• liver disease
• kidney disease
• heart disease
• coronary artery disease, circulation problems; or
• a history of malignant hyperthermia

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.

Anestacaine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling anxious, shaky, dizzy, restless, or depressed
• drowsiness, vomiting, ringing in your ears, blurred vision
• confusion, twitching, seizure (convulsions)
• fast heart rate, rapid breathing, feeling hot or cold
• weak or shallow breathing, slow heart rate, weak pulse; or
• feeling like you might pass out

Less serious side effects include:

• mild bruising, redness, itching, or swelling where the medication was injected
• mild dizziness
• nausea
• numbness in places where the medicine is accidentally applied

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Anestacaine Interactions

What other drugs affect Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

There may be other drugs that can interact with lidocaine injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

Lidocaine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Unless absolutely necessary, do not drive after using this medication

Avoid eating or chewing within 1 hour after lidocaine injection is used to numb your mouth or throat. You may have trouble swallowing which could lead to choking. You may also accidentally bite the inside of your mouth if you are still numb an hour after treatment with lidocaine injection.

Anestacaine Dosage

How should I take Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

Lidocaine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein or directly into the body area to be numbed. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving lidocaine injection in a hospital setting.

To treat irregular heart rhythms, you may be shown how to use your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

The LidoPen auto-injector 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 the injection.

Never use the LidoPen auto-injector without first calling your doctor.

Do not use the auto-injector in or near a vein or into your buttocks. Inject the medication only in your upper thigh or upper arm.

With the LidoPen auto-injector you will also receive a CardioBeeper. This device is used to transmit your heart rate and rhythm to your doctor over a telephone. Read all provided instructions and practice using the CardioBeeper so you will be able to quickly use it in an emergency.

Store the LidoPen auto-injector at room temperature away from moisture and extreme hot or cold.

What happens if I overdose on Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, nervousness, ringing in your ears, blurred vision, feeling hot or cold, numbness, muscle twitches, uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), slowed breathing, or respiratory failure (breathing stops).

What happens if I miss a dose of Anestacaine (Lidocaine)?

Since lidocaine injection is used only when needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

Never use the LidoPen auto-injector without first calling your doctor.

Edited from everydayhealth.com