- Heartburn Slideshow: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid
- 10 Facts About the Amazing Brain
- Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow Pictures
- What is lidocaine injection (local), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What are the side effects of lidocaine injection (local)?
- What is the dosage for lidocaine injection (local)?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with lidocaine injection (local)?
- Is lidocaine injection (local) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about lidocaine injection (local)?
What is lidocaine injection (local), and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Lidocaine injection is a local anesthetic. This means that it reduces sensation or pain in the area of the body where it is injected and does not affect other areas. It is similar to bupivacaine (Marcaine), articaine (Zorcaine), and Mepivacaine (Carbocaine). These drugs reduce sensation or pain by blocking nerve impulses that send pain sensations to the brain. Lidocaine starts working within 90 seconds and the effects last about 20 minutes. The FDA approved lidocaine in November 1948.
What brand names are available for lidocaine injection (local)?
Xylocaine, Xylocaine MPF
Is lidocaine injection (local) available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for lidocaine injection (local)?
Yes
What are the side effects of lidocaine injection (local)?
Common side effects of lidocaine are:
- injection site pain,
- feeling lightheaded,
- euphoria,
- shaking,
- low blood pressure,
- drowsiness,
- confusion,
- weakness,
- blurry or double vision, and
- dizziness.
Other important side effects which may be serious include:
- seizures,
- abnormal heart beats,
- slow heart beat,
- heart block,
- severe allergic reactions,
- respiratory arrest, and
- coma.
People allergic to anesthetics similar to lidocaine should not use lidocaine.

QUESTION
About how much does an adult human brain weigh? See AnswerWhat is the dosage for lidocaine injection (local)?
Dosing varies considerably depending on the use. Total recommended doses range from 20 mg to 300 mg.
Which drugs or supplements interact with lidocaine injection (local)?
Administering lidocaine solutions containing epinephrine or norepinephrine (which are added to prolong the action of the lidocaine) to patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants may produce severe and prolonged high blood pressure. Such combinations should be avoided. A similar reaction may occur with drugs used to increase blood pressure (vasopressors).
Is lidocaine injection (local) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Lidocaine has not been adequately studied in pregnant women. Studies in animals have not shown evidence of harm to the fetus.
It is not known whether lidocaine is excreted in breast milk.
What else should I know about lidocaine injection (local)?
What preparations of lidocaine injection (local) are available?
Injectable Solution: 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 4%, and 5%; 200, 400 and 800 mg/100 mL
How should I keep lidocaine injection (local) stored?
All solutions should be stored at room temperature, 25 C (77 F) and protected from light.
Latest Neurology News
Summary
Lidocaine HCl injection (Xylocaine)is a medication used for local or regional anesthesia to perform certain surgeries and procedures. Side effects, drug interactions, and indication should be discussed with your doctor before having this medication administered.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images
Discover the causes, types, and treatments of skin cancer. Learn how to prevent skin cancer and how to check for melanoma, basal...
-
Picture of Torn Earlobe Surgery
Torn earlobe and enlarged pierced earlobe canals are a common consequence of wearing heavy earrings for a prolonged period of...
-
Picture of Skin Cancer
Excessive exposure to sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. See a picture of Skin Cancer and learn more about the health...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Skin Tag
A skin tag is a small benign growth of skin that projects from the surrounding skin. Skin tags can vary in appearance (smooth, irregular, flesh colored, dark pigment, raised). Skin tags generally do not cause symptoms unless repeatedly irritated. Treatment for skin tag varies depending on the location on the body.
-
Toothache
A toothache is pain on or around a tooth. It may have a variety of causes, including a cavity, abscess, or even sinusitis. Toothache symptoms include pain, headache, earache, bad taste in the mouth, and gum swelling. Dental X-rays and other tests performed by a dentist are used to diagnose the cause of a toothache. Toothache treatment depends on the underlying cause. Taking proper care of the teeth and gums can help prevent toothache.
-
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)
Sacroiliac joint (SI) dysfunction is a general term to reflect pain in the SI joints. Causes of SI joint pain include osteoarthritis, abnormal walking pattern, and disorders that can cause SI joint inflammation including gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment includes oral medications, cortisone injections, and surgery.
-
Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds
Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds are common, and most people will experience one of these in their lifetime. Evaluating the injury, and thoroughly cleaning the injury is important. Some injuries should be evaluated by a doctor, and a tetanus shot may be necessary. Treatment will depend upon the severity of the injury.
-
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth that only partially erupt allows for an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection, which results in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness. Before your wisdom teeth are pulled, the teeth and the surrounding tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Recovery from wisdom tooth removal depends upon the difficulty of the extraction.
-
Dislocated Shoulder
The shoulder is the most often dislocated joint in the body due to its mobility. Dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus is dislocated from its socket. Symptoms and signs of a shoulder dislocation include nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, weakness, and sweating. There are various methods of reducing a dislocation and returning the humeral head to its normal place. The method for reduction of a shoulder dislocation depends upon the type of dislocation, the patient, the situation, and the clinician's experience. Intravenous narcotics and muscle relaxants are often administered to relax the muscles and relieve pain.
-
Cosmetic Surgery for Ears (Otoplasty)
Second Source WebMD Medical Reference
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness

SLIDESHOW
Surprising Reasons for Weight Gain See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
REFERENCE:
FDA prescribing information.