What is this medicine?
LIDOCAINE; PRILOCAINE (LYE doe kane; PRIL oh kane) is a topical anesthetic that causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissues. It is used to numb the skin before procedures or injections.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- skin rash or itching
- swelling of your throat, lips, or face
- trembling
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- changes in ability to feel hot or cold
- redness and swelling at the application site
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How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for external use only on the skin. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Do not use more or leave in contact with the skin longer than directed. Do not apply to eyes or open wounds. It can cause irritation and blurred or temporary loss of vision. If this medicine comes in contact with your eyes, immediately rinse the eye with water. Do not touch or rub the eye. Contact your health care provider right away.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
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What if I miss a dose?
This medicine is usually only applied once prior to each procedure. It must be in contact with the skin for a period of time for it to work. If you applied this medicine later than directed, tell your health care professional before starting the procedure.
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What may interact with this medicine?
- acetaminophen
- chloroquine
- dapsone
- medicines to control heart rhythm
- nitrates like nitroglycerin and nitroprusside
- other ointments, creams, or sprays that may contain anesthetic medicine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- quinine
- sulfonamides like sulfacetamide, sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine and others
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Be careful to avoid injury to the treated area while it is numb and you are not aware of pain. Avoid scratching, rubbing, or exposing the treated area to hot or cold temperatures until complete sensation has returned. The numb feeling will wear off a few hours after applying the cream.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- glucose-6-phosphate deficiencies
- heart disease
- kidney or liver disease
- methemoglobinemia
- an unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine, prilocaine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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