How does it work?

Lidocaine (lignocaine) belongs to a group of medicines known as local anaesthetics. Lidocaine acts to block temporarily the pathway of pain impulses along nerve fibres. This relieves or prevents pain in the area where it has been injected. This preparation is injected to provide local anaesthesia for minor procedures, such as dental surgery.

What is it used for?

Numbing a localised area

Use with caution in

Damage to the area of application

Epilepsy

Impaired breathing ability

Problems with the transfer of electrical signals within the heart (heart conduction defects)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Viral, bacterial or fungal infections in the treatment area

Not to be used in

Allergy to local anaesthetics

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus, particularly in the first trimester. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Blurred vision

Drowsiness

Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Seizures (convulsions)

Dizziness

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Decreased electrical impulses within the heart (myocardial depression)

Nervousness

Hypersensitivity reactions such as narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm), swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema) or severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

The following medicines may increase the blood levels of lidocaine, which may result in an increase in adverse effects: propranolol cimetidine

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