Overview
Ever since its discovery and availability for sale and use in the late 1940s, lidocaine has become an exceptionally commonly used medication . In particular, lidocaine's principal mode of action in acting as a local anesthetic that numbs the sensations of tissues means the agent is indicated for facilitating local anesthesia for a large variety of surgical procedures . It ultimately elicits its numbing activity by blocking sodium channels so that the neurons of local tissues that have the medication applied on are transiently incapable of signaling the brain regarding sensations . In doing so, however, it can block or decrease muscle contractile, resulting in effects like vasodilation, hypotension, and irregular heart rate, among others . As a result, lidocaine is also considered a class Ib anti-arrhythmic agent . Nevertheless, lidocaine's local anesthetic action sees its use in many medical situations or circumstances that may benefit from its action, including the treatment of premature ejaculation . Regardless, lidocaine is currently available as a relatively non-expensive generic medication that is written for in millions of prescriptions internationally on a yearly basis. It is even included in the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines .
Background
Ever since its discovery and availability for sale and use in the late 1940s, lidocaine has become an exceptionally commonly used medication . In particular, lidocaine's principal mode of action in acting as a local anesthetic that numbs the sensations of tissues means the agent is indicated for facilitating local anesthesia for a large variety of surgical procedures . It ultimately elicits its numbing activity by blocking sodium channels so that the neurons of local tissues that have the medication applied on are transiently incapable of signaling the brain regarding sensations . In doing so, however, it can block or decrease muscle contractile, resulting in effects like vasodilation, hypotension, and irregular heart rate, among others . As a result, lidocaine is also considered a class Ib anti-arrhythmic agent . Nevertheless, lidocaine's local anesthetic action sees its use in many medical situations or circumstances that may benefit from its action, including the treatment of premature ejaculation . Regardless, lidocaine is currently available as a relatively non-expensive generic medication that is written for in millions of prescriptions internationally on a yearly basis. It is even included in the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines .
Indication
Lidocaine is an anesthetic of the amide group indicated for production of local or regional anesthesia by infiltration techniques such as percutaneous injection and intravenous regional anesthesia by peripheral nerve block techniques such as brachial plexus and intercostal and by central neural techniques such as lumbar and caudal epidural blocks .
Associated Conditions
- Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
- Anorectal discomfort
- Arrhythmia
- Back Pain Lower Back
- Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
- Burns
- Cervical Syndrome
- Earache
- Fissure;Anal
- Haemorrhoids
- Infection
- Inflammatory Reaction caused by ear infection-not otherwise specified
- Insect Bites
- Joint Pain
- Mixed Vaginal Infections
- Multiple Myeloma (MM)
- Myringitis
- Neuritis
- Osteolysis caused by Bone Tumors
- Osteoporosis
- Otitis Externa
- Pain caused by ear infection-not otherwise specified
- Pain, Inflammatory
- Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)
- Rheumatic Diseases
- Rheumatic Joint Disease
- Sciatica
- Skin Irritation
- Soft Tissue Inflammation
- Sore Throat
- Sunburn
- Susceptible infections
- Trichomonas Vaginitis
- Ulcers, Leg
- Urethral Strictures
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
- Abrasions
- Anal discomfort
- Cutaneous lesions
- Gum pain
- Minor burns
- Superficial Wounds
- Susceptible Bacterial Infections
- Ulceration of the mouth
- Viral infections of the external ear canal
Research Report
Lidocaine: A Comprehensive Pharmacological Report
1. Introduction to Lidocaine
1.1. Overview and Historical Context
Lidocaine, also known by its alternative name lignocaine, stands as a cornerstone medication in modern medicine, primarily recognized for its efficacy as an amino amide-type local anesthetic and as a Class Ib antiarrhythmic agent.[1] Its discovery in 1943 by Swedish chemists Nils Löfgren and Bengt Lundqvist, and subsequent introduction to the market around 1948-1949, represented a significant advancement in pharmacology.[2] Compared to its predecessors, such as procaine (Novocain), lidocaine offered a more rapid onset of action, greater potency, and a considerably lower potential for allergic reactions, leading to its swift adoption in clinical practice.[1] The initial brand name for lidocaine was Xylocaine.[5]
The enduring clinical relevance of lidocaine, decades after its introduction, is a testament to its favorable balance of efficacy, safety (when used appropriately), and cost-effectiveness. This is particularly evident when considering its widespread use for fundamental anesthetic needs and specific cardiac arrhythmias, where newer agents have not universally surpassed its utility. This long-standing prominence is further underscored by its consistent inclusion in the World Health Organization's (WHO) List of Essential Medicines, signifying its critical role in basic healthcare systems globally.[1] As an indicator of its continued importance, lidocaine was the 262nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in 2022.[2] The early and extensive clinical experience gained under the Xylocaine brand likely established a strong foundation of trust and familiarity among medical practitioners, contributing to its sustained use even after the advent of generic versions.[5] This illustrates how initial market presence and robust branding can significantly influence a drug's long-term therapeutic legacy.
Clinical Trials
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Title | Posted | Study ID | Phase | Status | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021/10/26 | Phase 3 | Completed | |||
2021/10/08 | Phase 3 | Recruiting | |||
2021/10/01 | Not Applicable | UNKNOWN | |||
2021/09/21 | Phase 4 | Recruiting | Kasr El Aini Hospital | ||
2021/09/14 | Phase 2 | Recruiting | |||
2021/09/14 | Phase 4 | Terminated | |||
2021/09/05 | Not Applicable | Completed | |||
2021/09/01 | Phase 4 | Active, not recruiting | |||
2021/08/23 | Phase 2 | Recruiting | |||
2021/08/18 | Phase 3 | Recruiting |
FDA Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | Manufacturer | NDC Code | Route | Strength | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Dental | 43305-1030 | SUBCUTANEOUS | 20 mg in 1 mL | 5/15/2012 | |
| Patchwerx Labs, Inc. | 69329-032 | TOPICAL | 4 g in 100 g | 3/8/2015 | |
| Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 68788-8396 | TOPICAL | 50 mg in 1 g | 3/1/2023 | |
| Terrain Pharmaceuticals | 53225-1070 | TOPICAL | 0.045 g in 1 g | 12/8/2023 | |
| Quality Care Products, LLC | 83008-024 | TOPICAL | 50 mg in 1 g | 8/2/2023 | |
| Lifestar Pharma LLC | 70756-648 | INFILTRATION, PERINEURAL | 20 mg in 1 mL | 11/1/2023 | |
| Terrain Pharmaceuticals | 53225-1025 | TOPICAL | 4.5 g in 1 1 | 12/8/2023 | |
| H.J. Harkins Company, Inc. | 52959-993 | TOPICAL | 50 mg in 1 g | 10/8/2018 | |
| General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc | 52584-015 | TOPICAL | 20 mg in 1 mL | 1/11/2017 | |
| Clinical Resolution Laboratory, Inc. | 63742-032 | TOPICAL | 50 mg in 1 g | 5/12/2025 |
EMA Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | Authorization Holder | Status | Issued Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| No EMA approvals found for this drug. | |||
HSA Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | Manufacturer | Approval Number | Dosage Form | Strength | Approval Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No HSA approvals found for this drug. | |||||
NMPA Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | Company | Approval Number | Drug Type | Dosage Form | Approval Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No NMPA approvals found for this drug. | |||||
PPB Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | Registration No. | Company | Licence No. | Strength | Registration Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No PPB approvals found for this drug. | |||||
TGA Drug Approvals
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Approved Product | ARTG ID | Sponsor | Registration Type | Status | Registration Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No TGA approvals found for this drug. | |||||