Have you ever had to have a minor operation, a tooth extraction, or a wound sutured, and had to inject a numbing medication into the area? Today we're going to talk about a very important medication that's used in such cases. Its name is Lidocaine. Let's see what it is, how it works, and what you need to know when using it.
What is this Lidocaine? Simply put...
Lidocaine is an anesthetic . To be precise, it temporarily blocks the pain signals that travel to the brain through the nerves in our skin or other tissues. Then we don't feel pain in that area. Imagine, you have a tooth that needs to be extracted. When the doctor injects this Lidocaine injection around that tooth, that area will numb after a while. Then you won't feel any pain when the tooth is extracted. Similarly, it is used to stop pain when stitching up a small wound or removing a small tumor from the skin.
This medicine may come under different brand names. For example, you may see names like `Lidomark`, `ReadySharp Lidocaine`, `Xylocaine`, `Xylocaine MPF`. But all of these contain the main ingredient Lidocaine.
The important thing is, this does not eliminate the cause of the pain, it only temporarily stops the feeling of the pain.
Sometimes this medicine can be used for other reasons as well. So if you have any further questions about this, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What should I tell the doctor before using this medicine?
Before giving you a Lidocaine injection, it is very important for the doctor to know some information about you. This information will determine whether or not you will be given this medicine, and if so, how much to give you.
- If you have an infection: It's important to tell your doctor, especially if you have an infection at the injection site. Sometimes, when you inject a numbing medication, the risk of infection spreading can be slightly higher.
- If you have an allergic reaction to Lidocaine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives: This is very important. Some people are allergic to certain medications. If this happens, you may experience things like hives, itching, or swelling. So if you have had this before, be sure to tell your doctor.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: You need to be very careful about all medications you take during pregnancy. Some medications can affect the baby. Therefore, it is essential to inform your doctor about this.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: Some medications can pass to your baby through breast milk. So if you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor about it too.
When these things are said correctly, the doctor can treat you safely.
How can I give you this medicine?
Lidocaine is a medicine that is usually given as an injection, directly into the area where you want to numb it. It is only given by a doctor or a trained medical staff member, in a hospital or clinic. It is not a medicine that can be used at home.
Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to small children . The exact amount should be given based on the child's age and weight. Therefore, it is important to talk to your pediatrician and get advice before giving this medicine to your child.
Important: This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else. It should only be used by the person your doctor has prescribed it for.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this medication is given under the supervision of a doctor, the risk of overdose is very low. However, if you think that this has happened, or if you suspect that you have taken too much of the medication, you should immediately call a poison control center or emergency room. Because taking too much of any medication can be serious.
What happens if I miss a dose of this medicine?
This is not a medication that you would normally take home. Since it is given as needed, either in a hospital or clinic, the term "missing a dose" does not apply to this.
What other medications may interact with this medicine? (Drug Interactions)
We use different types of medicine for different diseases. When some medicines are taken together with other medicines, they can affect each other. This is called drug interactions. There are some medicines that can interact with Lidocaine.
Never take Lidocaine with the following medications:
- `dofetilide` (this is a medicine given for heart rhythm disorders)
- `MAOIs` (These are a group of medications given to treat conditions such as depression, examples: `Carbex`, `Eldepryl`, `Marplan`, `Nardil`, `Parnate`)
Additionally, the following medications may interact with Lidocaine:
- Medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, and irregular heartbeat
- Medications for depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
- Other anesthetics
- `phenytoin` (this is a medicine given for conditions such as epilepsy)
- `procarbazine` (this is a medicine for cancer)
This list does not include all possible interactions. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements) . Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. These can also interact with your medicine.
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
After you are given the Lidocaine injection, the medical staff will monitor your condition closely.
The most important thing is to be careful not to cause any harm while the injection site is numb. Because you won't feel any pain at that time, you could inadvertently injure yourself. For example, if you get Lidocaine injected into your gums to extract a tooth, you may bite your lip or cheek while eating while your mouth is numb. So keep that in mind.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, Lidocaine can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious and you should tell your doctor right away if you notice them. Some are not serious, but if they persist or become bothersome, you should tell your doctor .
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor or medical staff immediately:
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue.
- Breathing problems.
- Changes in vision: Blurring, double vision.
- Chest pain.
- Feeling faint or lightheaded, falls.
- Headache: A severe headache that is different from a normal headache.
- Seizures.
- Slow, irregular heartbeat.
- Trembling or shaking.
- Feeling unusually weak or tired.
Side effects that usually do not require medical treatment, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:
- Anxiety or nervousness.
- Backache: Especially when the vaccine is injected close to the back.
- Feelings of cold, heat, or numbness: These can occur as the medication works.
- Minor pain, swelling, and redness at the site where the injection was given.
- Nausea, vomiting.
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where do you keep the medicine?
As mentioned earlier, Lidocaine injections are only given in a hospital or clinic. So you don't have to take it home or keep it. It will be kept safe by the medical staff.
So, remember the most important thing! (Take-Home Message)
Okay, we've talked a lot about Lidocaine now. Here are a few things to remember:
- Lidocaine is a medicine that temporarily stops pain and causes numbness.
- This is only given under the supervision of a doctor, in a hospital or clinic.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- Stay safe until the injection site is numb.
- If you notice any unusual side effects, inform your doctor immediately.
This information sheet is a summary only. It may not contain all the details. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
` Lidocaine, painkillers, anesthetics, vaccines, side effects, medical advice
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න