Lidocaine (viscous Soln)

Written by Helen Marshall BPharm MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on June 27, 2023

The approved uses for lidocaine differ depending on the form of lidocaine your doctor prescribes.

This article describes lidocaine’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of lidocaine.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of lidocaine. To find coupons for lidocaine’s other forms, see the following articles:

• topical jelly
• liquid solution for injection
• topical patch

Boxed warning: Risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children with lidocaine oral topical solution

Lidocaine oral topical solution* has a boxed warning about the risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for lidocaine” section.

* An oral topical solution is a liquid that you apply to the inside of your mouth or throat.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about lidocaine.

Can I use lidocaine with other drugs, such as Aspercreme, prilocaine, epinephrine, nifedipine?

It depends on the drug. Taking certain drugs with lidocaine could cause a drug interaction. For example, prilocaine and certain forms of Aspercreme could increase your risk of side effects. So you should avoid these medications during your lidocaine treatment.

But lidocaine doesn’t interact with epinephrine or nifedipine. These medications are likely safe to use with lidocaine if your doctor recommends doing so.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using lidocaine with other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. They can check whether the combination is safe.

Is lidocaine available over the counter?

Yes, certain forms of lidocaine are available over the counter (OTC). Examples include the patch, ointment, and cream, which are all topical forms (you apply to your skin). You don’t need a prescription to buy OTC lidocaine. These forms may be available as generic or brand-name medications.

You can use OTC lidocaine products to relieve minor pain or itchiness that’s related to certain conditions. These include muscle soreness, sprains or strains, and sunburn. You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a treatment option for you.

How does lidocaine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. This means it numbs the area of your body where you apply the solution. Lidocaine works by stopping nerves in that area from sending messages to your brain. This helps block pain and other sensations, such as itching.

Most forms of lidocaine start working in a few minutes. But the patch form may take longer to start relieving pain. Lidocaine is also used to treat certain types of irregular heart rhythm. In this situation, you will receive lidocaine as an intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into your vein over time).

The drug works by slowing down the electrical activity in your heart. This quickly helps your heart rhythm return to a healthy rate.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as lidocaine for certain conditions. Approved uses for lidocaine are described below. These uses differ depending on the form of lidocaine your doctor prescribes.

Use for local anesthesia

Doctors or dentists may prescribe lidocaine for local anesthesia before certain medical or dental procedures. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With local anesthesia, lidocaine numbs a specific part of your body. This helps block pain that certain procedures, such as minor surgeries or examinations, may cause. Doctors may use different forms of lidocaine for different procedures and to numb different parts of your body.

For this use, doctors may prescribe these topical forms of lidocaine: ointment, liquid solution, oral liquid solution, and jelly. Doctors may also prescribe lidocaine injection for this purpose. Your doctor will explain how to use the drug form they prescribe.

Use for pain

Doctors may prescribe lidocaine for treating certain types of pain. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Doctors may use different forms of lidocaine to help treat pain in different parts of your body, as well as other types of pain. For example, doctors may prescribe lidocaine for pain related to sunburn, mouth sores, or nerve pain following shingles. Examples of these are described below:

For pain relief, doctors may prescribe these topical forms of lidocaine: ointment, oral liquid solution,* patch, and jelly. Your doctor will explain how to use the drug form they prescribe.

* Doctors generally will not prescribe this form in children under 3 years of age. It has a boxed warning about the risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for lidocaine” section.

Use for certain types of irregular heartbeat

Doctors may prescribe lidocaine injection for emergency treatment of certain types of irregular heartbeat. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Lidocaine helps treat certain types of irregular heartbeat that affect the bottom two chambers of the heart. These conditions may occur after a heart attack or during heart surgery and can be life threatening. Lidocaine helps return the heart to its usual rhythm.

Lidocaine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of lidocaine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about lidocaine’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for lidocaine in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of lidocaine are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of lidocaine you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about lidocaine’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information for lidocaine in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Lidocaine oral topical solution’s* mild side effects include:

• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• blurry vision
• feeling hot or cold
• muscle twitching
• mild allergic reaction†

Mild side effects of lidocaine topical patch, which you apply to your skin, include:

• itching or burning sensation at the application site
• blistering, peeling, or discoloration at the application site
• bruising or swelling at the application site
• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• mild allergic reaction†

* An oral topical solution is a liquid that you apply to the inside of your mouth or throat.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lidocaine” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of lidocaine are listed below. These side effects may differ depending on the form of lidocaine you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about lidocaine’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information for lidocaine in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, lidocaine’s serious side effects include:

• a blood condition called methemoglobinemia
• severe allergic reaction*

For lidocaine oral topical solution,† the following serious side effects may also occur:

• difficulty swallowing and risk of choking due to throat numbness
• biting the tongue or inside of the mouth due to mouth numbness
• boxed warning: risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lidocaine” section.
† An oral topical solution is a liquid that you apply to the inside of your mouth or throat.

Below, you’ll find information about lidocaine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of lidocaine

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods,* or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use lidocaine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for lidocaine” section below.

* Due to the risk of choking and biting injuries, you should not eat, drink, or chew gum for at least 1 hour after using lidocaine in your mouth or throat.

Warnings for lidocaine

Some people should not use lidocaine, and others should use it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children with lidocaine oral topical solution

Lidocaine oral topical solution* has a boxed warning about the risk of serious or possibly fatal effects in certain children. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lidocaine oral topical solution may cause serious side effects in children under 3 years old if it’s not used as prescribed. These side effects can include seizures, life threatening heart and breathing problems, or, in rare cases, death.

Due to these risks, doctors typically do not prescribe lidocaine oral topical solution for teething pain in children younger than 3 years old. And they generally only prescribe it for other purposes in children this age if other treatments don’t work or aren’t available.

If a doctor prescribes lidocaine oral topical solution for a child under 3 years old, carefully follow their dosage instructions. Talk with your doctor if you’re not sure how much lidocaine to use or how often to use it.

* An oral topical solution is a liquid that you apply to the inside of your mouth or throat.

Other warnings

Lidocaine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether lidocaine is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of lidocaine you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for lidocaine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Lidocaine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to lidocaine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe lidocaine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing difficulties

If you have an allergic reaction to lidocaine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of lidocaine

If you use lidocaine, you should not use more than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much lidocaine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lidocaine

Information about lidocaine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Lidocaine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether lidocaine should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Lidocaine and breastfeeding

In general, lidocaine is considered safe to use while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor whether they feel it’s safe for you.

This article describes lidocaine’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about lidocaine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• What happens if lidocaine doesn’t work to numb the pain of a procedure?
• How long do the effects of lidocaine last?
• Is there a risk of paralysis if lidocaine is given as an epidural?
• Can the effects of local anesthetic spread to other areas?
• Can lidocaine be used for arthritis pain?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Lidocaine hci — lidocaine hci injection. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/96117178-ebf0-1335-e053-2a95a90ac105/spl-doc
• Lidocaine hci — lidocaine hci jelly. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/95351883-ec37-f94a-e053-2995a90aa36a/spl-doc
• Lidocaine hcl — lidocaine hcl topical solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c4c16714-6b1f-857e-e053-2a95a90a74e4/spl-doc
• Lidocaine — lidocaine ointment. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/857bf526-ab2a-b173-e053-2991aa0a04cf/spl-doc
• Lidocaine — lidocaine patch. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/94936bd4-eeac-17f0-e053-2a95a90af306/spl-doc
• Lidocaine hydrochloride — lidocaine hydrochloride injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/6bcdbee5-014e-6b4c-e053-2a91aa0aecd2/spl-doc?hl=lidocaine
• Lidocaine hydrochloride — lidocaine hydrochloride injection, solution. (2018). https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=4497
• Lidocaine hydrochloride — lidocaine hydrochloride lotion. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/903cd7bd-6c3d-4068-bb24-e91b1ca1393d/spl-doc
• Lidocaine hydrochloride — lidocaine hydrochloride solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a02c199a-5b64-497f-a829-d40b1254eafd/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.