General Information on Lidoderm
Lidoderm is the brand name for lidocaine, and it is a local anesthetic that works by blocking the nerve signals from a specific area of the body. You can buy Lidoderm as a skin patch for the treatment of post-shingles pain.
Lidoderm skin patches contain the active ingredient lidocaine on an adhesive material. This material is applied onto a polyester backing, and it is also covered with a film release liner made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
Each Lidoderm patch contains 5% lidocaine, which means that each gram of the adhesive contains 50mg lidocaine. Overall, a Lidoderm skin patch would have an equivalent of 700mg lidocaine.
Side effects of Lidoderm
Lidoderm may cause serious side effects in rare cases. Some of these side effects are given below:
- Blurred vision
- Seizures or tremors
- Confusion, drowsiness
- Uneven heartbeat
Other mild side effects associated with Lidoderm would be limited to the area where the skin patch is applied. These side effects include mild cases of the following:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Irritation
You must not buy Lidoderm if you have previously suffered from an allergy to any numbing drug. An allergy to Lidoderm would be characterized by the occurrence of hives, breathing difficulties, and a swollen face or throat.
Dosage of Lidoderm
The dosage of Lidoderm and the duration of use of this skin patch would be determined by your doctor, and you must follow you’re his/her instructions exactly. Before buying this patch, your doctor must be made aware of any allergies or medical conditions you may be suffering from, including liver disease and skin that is damaged, swollen or torn.
A Lidoderm skin patch can only be applied on intact skin. It must not be applied on skin that is infected or blistered. It must also be applied only to cover the most painful area of the skin. You may apply up to three Lidoderm patches within a 24 hour period. Each patch can be applied only once and for a maximum period of 12 hours.
You may cut Lidoderm skin patches into smaller sizes using scissors, but only after removing the release liner and confirming the safety of doing so with your doctor. After applying the patch, you can wear clothes over it without any problem.
If the patient is debilitated or has an impaired elimination, Lidoderm may be cut and applied onto smaller areas.
Remove the patch of Lidoderm if you suffer from any burning sensation or irritation during application. You must not reapply the patch until you do not feel the irritation anymore.
Interactions
If Lidoderm is used along with other products that use local anesthetic drugs, the amount of lidocaine being absorbed must be kept in mind. You must also be careful about using Lidoderm along with heart rhythm disorder medications. Examples of such medications include the following:
- Propafenone
- Tocainide
- Procainamide
- Mexiletine
- Flecainide
- Disopyramide
- Quinidine
