Brand Names: Anestacaine, UAD Caine, Xylocaine HCl, Xylocaine-MPF

Generic Name: lidocaine injection (Pronunciation: LYE doe kane)

• What is lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• What are the possible side effects of lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• How is lidocaine injection given (Xylocaine)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Xylocaine)?
• What happens if I overdose (Xylocaine)?
• What should I avoid while receiving lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• What other drugs will affect lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). It works by blocking nerve signals in your body.

Lidocaine injection is used to numb an area of your body to help reduce pain or discomfort caused by invasive medical procedures such as surgery, needle punctures, or insertion of a catheter or breathing tube.

Lidocaine injection is also given in an epidural (spinal block) to reduce the discomfort of contractions during labor.

Lidocaine injection is sometimes used to treat irregular heart rhythms that may signal a possible heart attack.

Lidocaine injection may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling anxious, shaky, dizzy, restless, or depressed;
• drowsiness, vomiting, ringing in your ears, blurred vision;
• confusion, twitching, seizure (convulsions);
• fast heart rate, rapid breathing, feeling hot or cold;
• weak or shallow breathing, slow heart rate, weak pulse; or
• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects include:

• mild bruising, redness, itching, or swelling where the medication was injected;
• mild dizziness;
• nausea;
• numbness in places where the medicine is accidentally applied.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Xylocaine (lidocaine) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about lidocaine injection (Xylocaine)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to lidocaine or any other type of numbing medicine.

Before you receive lidocaine injection, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, coronary artery disease, circulation problems, or a history of malignant hyperthermia.

To treat irregular heart rhythms, your doctor may prescribe a LidoPen auto-injector. This is a prefilled automatic injection device to be used in an emergency. Keep the device with you at all times.

Your doctor will describe the signs and symptoms to watch for when deciding when it's time to use lidocaine injection at home. Never use the LidoPen auto-injector without first calling your doctor.

With the LidoPen auto-injector you will also receive a CardioBeeper to transmit your heart rate and rhythm to your doctor over a telephone. Read all provided instructions and practice using the CardioBeeper.

Lidocaine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Unless absolutely necessary, do not drive after using this medication