Lidocaine skin ointment
What is lidocaine
skin ointment?
LIDOCAINE (Xylocaine�) causes loss of feeling in
the skin and surrounding tissues. It can relieve the pain caused by sunburn,
insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts and
scratches. Generic lidocaine ointment is available.
What should I tell my health
care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
�eczema
�burns
�infection at or near the site of use
�liver disease
�an unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine,
other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
�pregnant or trying to get pregnant
�breast-feeding
How should I use this
medicine?
Lidocaine ointment is for external use only on the
skin. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do
not use more than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this
medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you are using lidocaine at regular intervals and
you forget a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your
next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with
lidocaine?
Lidocaine applied to the skin is unlikely to interact
with medicines taken by mouth.
Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other
medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines, nutritional
supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care
professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if
you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine
works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.
What side effects may I notice
from receiving lidocaine?
Side effects throughout the body are rare after applying lidocaine
to one area of skin. Contact your prescriber or health care professional as
soon as you can if you notice any unusual effects such as blurred vision,
dizziness or drowsiness, difficulty breathing, trembling, chest pain or
irregular heartbeat.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your
prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
�skin rash, itching
�swelling of the skin
What should I watch for while
taking lidocaine?
Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not
improve within a few days, or if you notice redness, itching, swelling, or
soreness not there before treatment. Do not use lidocaine
for more than one week without consulting your prescriber or health care
professional.
Do not apply lidocaine to large areas of damaged or burned
skin. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you apply lidocaine to an area that may be infected, scraped or cut.
Be careful to avoid injury to the area while it is numb and you are not aware
of pain.
Keep the ointment away from your eyes. It can cause irritation and blurred or
temporary loss of vision.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of reach of children.
Store at room temperature; do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after
the expiration date.
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