Lidocaine skin cream or ointment

What is this medication?

LIDOCAINE (LYE doe kane) is an anesthetic. It causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissues. It is used to prevent and to treat pain from some procedures. This medicine is also used to treat minor burns, scrapes and insect bites.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): AneCream, Aspercreme with Lidocaine, BenGay, Blue Tube, CidalEaze, Ela-Max, LidaMantle, LidoHeal-90, Lidosense 4, Lidotral, Lidovix L, LMX 4, LMX 4 with Tegaderm, LMX 5, Lydexa, MENTHO-CAINE, Moxicaine, RectaSmoothe, RectiCare, Solarcaine, SOLUPAK, Xylocaine Topical, ZiloVal

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•heart problems

•infected, open, or damaged skin

•an unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for use on the skin. This medicine may be used in the mouth, nose, or throat and may be applied by a health care professional. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Apply your medicine at regular intervals. Do not use it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Interactions are not expected.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Be careful to avoid injury while the area is numb and you are not aware of pain. If this medicine is used in the mouth or throat, do not chew gum or eat food for at least one hour. If the area is still numb, you may choke or bite your tongue or cheek if you try to chew or swallow. Also, you may not feel pain from hot foods or drinks.

Do not apply this medicine to areas of skin that are infected, open or damaged. This may increase the amount of medicine that passes through your skin and increase the risk of serious side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•breathing problems

•changes in vision

•confused, excitable, nervous, restless

•dizzy, drowsy

•fever or chills

•headache

•irregular heartbeat

•nausea, vomiting

•seizure

•tremor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•numb area

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.