Do you sometimes feel a sharp pain, tingling, or burning sensation somewhere on your skin? It could be nerve pain. At times like this, your doctor may have given you a patch to stick on your skin. That's what we're going to talk about today, the Lidocaine patch. Don't be afraid when you see this, it's a very useful and safe medicine, but only if you use it correctly.
What is this Lidocaine patch?
Simply put, it's a patch that contains a medication. It contains a local anesthetic called Lidocaine . When you apply the patch to the area of pain, the medication is absorbed into the skin and temporarily numbs the nerves in that area. It's like the medicine a doctor injects into your gums before extracting a tooth. But it's not a shot, it's a patch.
This causes the area to lose its ability to feel pain. Therefore, it is used to relieve pain on the surface of the skin, especially nerve pain. These patches may be available on the market under different names (e.g. Lidoderm, ZTlido), but the most important thing is that they all contain the drug Lidocaine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing a Lidocaine patch, it is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially:
| Your health condition | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease or irregular heartbeat | This medicine, if absorbed even slightly into the bloodstream, can affect the heart rate. Therefore, people with heart disease should be very careful. |
| Liver disease | The liver cleans and removes medications that enter the body. If the liver is weak, these medications can accumulate in the body and cause side effects. |
| Skin diseases, infections, or injuries | This patch should not be applied to cuts, wounds, wounds, or infected skin. Doing so may cause the body to absorb too much of the medicine. |
| Allergies to other medications or substances | Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to lidocaine, other anesthetics, or other ingredients in the patch (e.g. parabens). |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | Any medication should be used with great caution during pregnancy, so talk to your doctor about this. |
| If the baby is breastfed | Consult your doctor to confirm whether this medicine passes to the baby through breast milk or not. |
How exactly do you use this patch?
It's very simple to use, but you have to follow the instructions exactly.
1. Clean the skin: Before applying the patch, wash the painful area with soap and water and dry thoroughly.
2. Apply the patch: Remove the protective film from the patch and apply it to the painful area, making sure it covers it well. Never apply it to cuts, wounds, or sores.
3. Follow the instructions: Follow the instructions given by your doctor or the medicine package exactly. Usually, it says to leave the patch on for 12 hours and then take it off for the next 12 hours. But the advice given by your doctor is the most important.
4. Wash your hands: After applying the patch, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Never share this patch with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you overdose?
If you think you have used more than you think, or if a small child has put it in their mouth, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
Lidocaine patches can interact with some other medications, so tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements you are taking.
| Type of medicine | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Do not use the Lidocaine patch with this medicine. | |
| Some medications for irregular heartbeat | Using these two medications together can cause serious effects on the heart. |
| MAOI antidepressants (e.g. Carbex, Marplan, Parnate) | Lidocaine may interact with this class of drugs and cause adverse effects. |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using this medicine. | |
| Other local anesthetics (e.g., pramoxine, tetracaine) | If you use other numbing creams or medications, the dose of Lidocaine in your body may increase. |
Things to be careful about when using the patch
- Be careful of the numb area: The area where the patch is applied is numb, so you won't feel the pain. Imagine you're leaning over a cup of hot water. You won't feel the tingling, but the skin will burn. So be very careful to protect the area from anything that could cut, bruise, or burn.
- Medical tests: If you are having surgery, an MRI scan, or a CT scan, tell your doctor that you are using a Lidocaine patch. The patch may need to be removed before the test.
- Do not apply to eyes: Do not touch your eyes with the hand that held the patch. If the medicine gets into your eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Symptoms: If your pain does not improve or worsens, talk to your doctor again.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any medication, there is a small chance of side effects.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips/tongue/face. |
| Breathing difficulties | Difficulty breathing. |
| Chest pain or tightness | Heart function may be affected. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness, feeling light-headed. |
| Usually nothing to worry about, but if it persists, here are some things to tell your doctor: | |
| Where the patch is stuck... | Mild numbness, redness, itching, or burning. These usually go away after a while. |
Take-Home Message
- Lidocaine patches should only be used if prescribed by a doctor. It is a topical treatment for pain on the skin surface.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all medications you are taking.
- Since the area where the patch is applied is numb, it is your responsibility to protect that area from anything that could burn or cut it.
- If you experience a serious side effect or suspect an overdose, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Always keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Dispose of the used patch safely, folded in half, and out of the reach of children.
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