XYLOCAINE® VISCOUS 2%
(lidocaine hydrochloride solution)
This leaflet is part III of a two-part “Prescribing Information”
published when XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% was approved for sale in Canada and is designed
specifically for Consumers. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you
everything about XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if
you have any questions about the drug.
Before using XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%, read this leaflet carefully.
Please keep this leaflet to refer to until you have used up all your XYLOCAINE
Viscous 2%.
This medicine has been prescribed for you personally and you should not
pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same
as yours.
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
WHAT THE MEDICATION IS USED FOR:
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% is used to produce a temporary loss of feeling or numbness
of the area where it is applied in adults and children 2 years of age and older,
and can be used:
- before certain types of examinations done by your doctor.
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%could also:
- relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as after the tonsils
are removed;
- provide relief in other painful diseases of the mouth, throat or esophagus;
- cause a loss of feeling in the throat area, before certain types of examinations
are performed by your doctor.
WHAT IT DOES:
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%is the brand name for a topical anesthetic that contains
the drug lidocaine. Topical anesthetics are used to produce a temporary loss
of feeling or numbness on the area where they are applied.
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%should start to work within 5 minutes after you apply it.
The effect usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE USED:
Do not use XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%if you:
- are allergic to lidocaine, any other “-caine” type anesthetics,
or any of the non-medicinal ingredients in the product (see NONMEDICINAL
INGREDIENTS below)
- are allergic to methylparaben and/or propylparaben (preservatives used in
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%) or PABA.
WHAT THE MEDICINAL INGREDIENT IS:
lidocaine hydrochloride 2%
NONMEDICINAL INGREDIENTS:
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%also contains sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylparaben,
propylparaben, cherry essence, saccharin sodium, purified water and sodium hydroxide.
Tell your doctor if you think you may be sensitive to any of the above ingredients.
WHAT DOSAGE FORMS IT COMES IN:
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%, 100 mL bottles.
BEFORE you use XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- about all health problems you have now or have had in the past;
- about other medicines you take, including ones you can buy without a prescription;
- if you are taking other medicines such as drugs used to treat irregular
heart activity (anti-arrhythmics);
- if you have ever had a bad, unusual or allergic reaction to XYLOCAINE Viscous
2%or any other medicines ending with “caine”;
- if you think you may be allergic or sensitive to any ingredients in XYLOCAINE
Viscous 2%(see above);
- if there is an infection, skin rash, cut or wound at or near the area you
want to apply XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%;
- if you have a skin condition that is severe or that covers a large area;
- if you have a severe heart, kidney or liver disease (see PROPER USE OF THIS
MEDICATION);
- if you have epilepsy (there is very low risk if used as per PROPER USE OF
THIS MEDICATION section);
- If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with porphyria;
- if you are experiencing severe shock;
- if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other drugs you take, or have recently
taken, including:
- drugs you can buy without a prescription;
- anti-arrhythmic drugs for heart problems (e.g. mexiletine, amiodarone) (see
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION);
- other anesthetics (see PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION);
- propranolol for heart problems or cimetidine for gastrointestinal problems,
if you are going to use high doses of XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% for a long time;
- fluvoxamine, for depression, if you are going to use high doses of XYLOCAINE
Viscous 2% for a long time.
Usage of such medicines at the same time as XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% may increase
the risk of serious side effects.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
This medication is for topical use only.
USUAL DOSE:
If this medicine is recommended by your doctor, be sure to follow the directions
for use that have been given. If you are treating yourself, follow the directions
below. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about
your directions.
The following are general guidelines for the maximum amount of XYLOCAINE Viscous
2%that should be used without a doctor's advice. These guidelines apply only
to otherwise healthy people. If you have a special skin condition or other condition
that requires a doctor's supervision, ask your doctor about the maximum amount
of XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%that you should use.
Do not use more XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%; or more often or for a longer period
of time than either your doctor ordered or than these package directions recommend
as this may cause unwanted side effects (see SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN
THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM).
Shake the bottle well before using this medicine, so that you get an even dose
each time you use it.
- Use the smallest amount needed to control your symptoms.
- When used in the mouth or throat try to increase the length of time XYLOCAINE
Viscous 2%is in contact with the affected area. For example, if you are treating
mouth sores, swish the liquid around in your mouth and then spit it out. For
a sore throat, roll the liquid around at the back of your throat or gargle,
and then swallow the liquid.
- Do not drink water or other liquids right after you use XYLOCAINE Viscous
2%, as this will decrease the amount of relief you get from the medicine.
- Avoid contact with your eyes.
Use only an accurate measuring device, such as a measured cup or a measured
teaspoon to dose this medicine.
Conditions where dose adjustments may be required:
- elderly patients
- acutely ill patients
- patients with severe liver disease
- patients with severe kidney disease
- patients also treated with other anesthetics or certain antiarrhythmic drugs
(such as amiodarone or mexiletine)
Dose for Adults
The usual effective dose for adults is 5 - 10 mL at a time. Do not use this
amount more than six times in a 24-hour period.
The total dose for a 24-hour period should be no more than 60 mL.
Dose for Children 2-12 Years of Age
The dose depends on the child's weight. No more than 1 mL per 5 kilogram of
the child's weight should be used per dose. Excess solution should be spat out.
No more than four doses should be given during a 24-hour period.
Dose for Children Under 3 Years of Age
There may be special considerations for children under 3 years of age. DO NOT
use XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%for children in this age group without a doctor's supervision.
The solution should be applied to the affected area with a cotton tip applicator.
No more than four doses should be given during a 24-hour period.
- For use in children under 2 years of age, consult a doctor.
- If you have any questions about how to measure the above amounts, be sure
to ask your pharmacist.
- If you are treating yourself and your condition does not seem to improve
within three to five days, check with your doctor about continuing to use
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%.
OVERDOSE:
Early signs of overdosage are numbness of the lips and around the mouth, lightheadedness,
dizziness and sometimes blurred vision. In the event of a serious overdosage,
trembling, seizures or unconsciousness may occur.
If the early signs of overdosage are noticed and no further XYLOCAINE Viscous
2% is given, the risk of serious side effects occurring rapidly decreases. If
you think you or anyone else is experiencing any of the above signs, telephone
your doctor or go to the nearest hospital right away.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like any medication, XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%may cause side effects in some people.
Avoid eating or chewing gum when XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%is used in the mouth or
throat since numbness in these areas may interfere with swallowing and could
potentially cause choking. Numbness of the tongue or gum may also increase the
danger of injury due to biting.
Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures (e.g. food, drink) until
complete sensation has returned.
Avoid contact with the eyes because numbness in the eyes may prevent you from
noticing if you get something in your eye.
With the recommended doses, XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%has no effect on the ability
to drive and use machines.
Medicines affect different people in different ways. Just because side effects
have occurred in some patients, does not mean that you will get them. If any
side effects bother you, or if you experience any unusual effects while you
are using XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%, stop using it and check with your doctor or
pharmacist as soon as possible.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO
ABOUT THEM
| Symptom/ effect |
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist |
Stop taking drug and call your
doctor or pharmacist |
| Only if severe |
In all cases |
| Rare |
Allergic reaction such as: redness, itching or swelling of your
skin, hives, burning, stinging, or any other skin problems, swelling of
the neck area, or any difficulty with breathing, not present before using
this medicine |
X |
|
X |
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects
while taking XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% contact your doctor or pharmacist.
XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%can cause serious side effects if too much is used. These
include: drowsiness, numbness of your tongue, light-headedness, ringing in your
ears, blurred vision, vomiting, dizziness, unusually slow heart beat, fainting,
nervousness, unusual sweating, trembling or seizures.
The above are extremely rare and usually require large amounts of XYLOCAINE
Viscous 2%over a long period of time.
Consult your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms appear.
HOW TO STORE IT
Remember to keep XYLOCAINE Viscous 2% well out of the reach of children
when you are not using it.
Keep XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%at room temperature. Protect from freezing. Do not
keep XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%in the bathroom medicine cabinet or other warm, moist
places. Store in the original package.
Do not use XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%after the expiry date marked on the package.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada through the Canada Vigilance Program
collects information on serious and unexpected side effects of drugs. If you
suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify
Canada Vigilance:
By toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345
By toll-free fax: 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
By email: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and
Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side
effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance.
The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
Important Note: This leaflet alerts you to some of the times you should
call your doctor. Other situations which cannot be predicted may arise. Nothing
about this leaflet should stop you from calling your doctor with any questions
or concerns you have about using XYLOCAINE Viscous 2%.
NOTE: This CONSUMER INFORMATION leaflet provides you with the
most current information at the time of printing.
For the most current information, the Consumer Information Leaflet plus the
full Prescribing Information, prepared for health professionals can be found
at: www.astrazeneca.ca or by contacting the sponsor, AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
at: Customer Inquiries - 1 (800) 668-6000, Renseignements - 1 (800) 461-3787.
Last updated on RxList: 5/8/2008