Have you ever had to undergo a minor surgery, a procedure that involves a needle prick, or perhaps a blood draw? It's normal to feel a little scared about the pain. At times like these, your doctor may ask you to apply a patch to help reduce the pain. Although it looks like a plaster, it's actually a medication. Today we're talking about a special patch that's used for times like these, and it numbs the skin, and it contains two medications called Lidocaine and Tetracaine.
What is this Lidocaine; Tetracaine Patch?
Simply put, it's a combination of two medications that numb your skin and surrounding tissue for a short time, temporarily blocking the feeling of pain. These two medications are Lidocaine and Tetracaine . They belong to a class of drugs called local anesthetics. This means that they can numb only a small area of the body.
Imagine that you have to inject a small amount of medicine into the skin of your hand. At that time, when this patch is stuck to that area, that area becomes numb. Then, when the needle is inserted, you hardly feel any pain. Another special feature of this is that some types of patches have a system that generates a small amount of heat. Due to this heat, the medicine is quickly absorbed into the skin, and the numbness is accelerated.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this patch
Although this may seem like a simple thing, since this is also a medication, it is very important to inform your doctor about your health condition. Especially if you have the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health condition or problem | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | Because the liver is important in the process of removing drugs from the body, the way this drug affects people with liver disease may be different. |
| Pseudocholinesterase deficiency | This is a rare genetic condition. People with this condition have difficulty breaking down these types of anesthetics in their bodies, which increases the risk of side effects. |
| Skin infection or problem | If there are wounds, scratches, or eczema where the patch is to be applied, the amount of medicine absorbed by the body may change. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to things like Lidocaine, Tetracaine, other anesthetics, PABA, parabens, or any other medicine or food, you should disclose it. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should be careful when using any medication during pregnancy, so talk to your doctor about this. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | Consult your doctor to confirm whether the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this patch?
The method of using this is very simple, but it is very important to follow the instructions exactly.
1. Be patient: Do not remove the patch from its package until you are ready to apply it.
2. Apply it to the right area: Apply it only to the area of skin that the doctor has told you to. Do not apply it to areas that are cut, bruised, red, or have eczema .
3. Apply carefully: Take the patch out of the packet, hold it by the sticky side corners only, and apply it to the skin.
4. Be careful with the time: Do not leave the patch on your skin for longer than your doctor tells you to. Usually, you should not leave it on for more than 20-30 minutes.
5. Be careful with water: Do not splash water on the patch after applying it. Do not shower or wash it.
6. Remove and dispose of safely: When the time comes, carefully remove the patch by holding it by one corner. Then, fold the used patch with the sticky side inward, place it in the package it came in, and throw it in the trash, out of reach of children and pets . This is very important.
7. Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before applying the patch and after removing it.
What if you use it by mistake or in excess? Just remember that if you keep it for too long, or if you use more than one, it can be dangerous. If you have even the slightest suspicion that something like this has happened, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Do you use this for children?
Yes, in some special cases, for example, before a painful injection, the doctor may recommend this for children over 3 years old. But it is done with great care. Therefore, if you use this on a child, you must definitely follow the instructions of a pediatrician .
Special points to be considered when using
- Be careful after the numbness: The area may remain numb for a few hours after the patch is removed. Since you may not feel any pain, do not scratch the area, rub it hard, or expose it to anything hot or cold. You may inadvertently injure yourself.
- Protect your eyes: Do not let this medicine come into contact with your eyes in any way. It can be very harmful to your eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately rinse them thoroughly with water or saline solution and keep them closed until you regain sensation.
- Do not cut the patch: Do not cut the patch or remove the cover on top. Doing so may cause the patch to overheat and burn the skin.
- Before an MRI scan: If you are going to have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, tell the MRI technician if you have this patch on. It must be removed before the MRI.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Severe skin reactions | Blistering and severe pain where the patch was applied. |
| Effects on the nervous system | Confusion, restlessness, excessive agitation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, seizures, tremors. |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, vision changes, fever, chills, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Minor skin changes | Redness or paleness of the skin, slight swelling, or numbness where the patch was applied. |
Are there any other medications that may interact with this medicine?
Yes, absolutely. The medicine in this patch can interact with other medicines you are taking. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including vitamins, supplements, and whether you smoke or drink alcohol . Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
- Some antibiotics (such as dapsone, nitrofurantoin)
- Anticonvulsant medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin)
- Heart medications (such as nitroglycerin)
- Other local anesthetics
This list is not complete, so for your safety, discuss everything with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This patch should only be used as directed by your doctor. Do not use it as you please.
- More than the scheduled time (e.g. 30 minutes)Don't leave it on your skin for too long.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- After removing the patch , be careful not to injure the numb skin area.
- Dispose of the used patch safely, out of the reach of children and pets . Swallowing a new or used patch by a child can be fatal.
- If you have a serious side effect or suspect an overdose, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is the Lidocaine; Tetracaine / Synera Patch? What is the patch for?
This is not a skin condition! This is a very strong local anesthetic patch. It is used to completely numb the skin and temporarily numb the skin. It is often used to eliminate 100% of the pain experienced by the patient during skin procedures, such as IVs, injections, or dermatological procedures.
💬 How can this patch completely eliminate the pain of a needle prick?
It's like putting an ice cube on a hot surface! In order for the nerves in our skin to send the message that it's 'hurt' to the brain, they must open their 'Sodium Channels' and send electricity (Action potentials). When this patch is applied to the skin, both of those drugs (Lidocaine/Tetracaine) pass through the skin and 'completely block/close' all the sodium channels in the nerves. Since there's no way for the message to get through, the brain doesn't feel any pain.
💬 Why do you say to keep this numbing patch (Lidocaine Patch) on/not apply it to large wounds?
That is the most dangerous (and deadly) danger of this (Systemic Toxicity)! Never apply this to 'wounded/peeled' skin! If you do, the amount of medicine absorbed directly into the blood through the skin will increase, and the patient (especially young children) may have severe seizures/fits (Seizures) and cardiac arrest/suffocation and death. Also, this can only be kept on for a maximum of '20-30 minutes'!
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