The heart is considered one of the most important organs of our body , it is even delicate and as age advances its vitality can wither.
Currently, medicine has advanced considerably by developing drugs such as lidocaine , oriented, among others, to effectively treat conditions or anomalies related to the cardiovascular system.
For this reason, in this article we will review what lidocaine is for , taking into account its doses to be administered and its effects.
What is lidocaine?
Lidocaine is a type of active substance, which provides an anesthetic effect on the nerve endings of the skin , used in generic or commercial medicines for antiarrhythmic heart treatments and also as a local anesthetic.
The presentation of lidocaine is in the form of gel, solution, tablets or injectable solution, having then oral, topical or intravenous administration . Lidocaine doses strongly depend on the medical case for which it is to be administered.
Note: A medical study mentions the following information: “ Lidocaine cream works best when applied to the skin 30 to 60 minutes before the treatment or procedure.” . (1)
What is lidocaine used for?
Lidocaine prevents potassium or sodium ions from moving through the peripheral nervous system , which is made up of the nerves that cause pain, thus giving a sedative effect. Specifically, lidocaine is used to:
1. Local anesthetic
Local anesthesia is the way of referring to the numbness of a specific area, which will be intervened in a painful surgical process, usually done by means of injections, tablets or ointments.
To highlight: For numerous cases such as injuries, lidocaine cream is usually administered in an anesthetic ointment every 3 or 4 hours, also lidocaine in the form of drops (for oral lesions) can be used in 15 ml for 3 days or 4 days .
2. Antiarrhythmic
An antiarrhythmic drug is the definition used to refer to those substances that block sodium or calcium channels to balance the heart rhythm, especially when they present abnormalities due to a specific disease.
Important: One study even concluded that: ” Intravenous doses of lidocaine decrease the inflammatory response to tissue ischemia, induced by cytokines through the activation of potassium channels . ” (two)
Lidocaine Side Effects
Like various types of medicines, lidocaine can bring with it a series of adverse effects, which certainly should not be alarming for patients. However, it is necessary to be aware of:
- Back pain.
- Renal incontinence.
- hypotension or tachycardia
- Confusion.
- Dizziness.
You should know: A study mentions this information: ” The systemic absorption of large amounts of the drug lidocaine can cause the appearance of toxicity at the cardiovascular level and the central nervous system . ” (3)
contraindications of lidocaine
On the other hand, the administration of lidocaine is not recommended for a certain patient population , due to its unknown or negative interactions. Therefore, it should not be prescribed in case of:
- Hypersensitivity to the metabolite.
- Hypertension.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- cardiovascular dysfunction.
- Coagulation abnormalities.
Important: It is advisable to inform your treating physician about the health conditions you suffer, so that he can carry out the pertinent instructions and thus avoid unwanted effects .
Key Findings
- Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic and anesthetic medication , to give sedation effects.
- Lidocaine may be prescribed as a local anesthetic or to treat heart abnormalities .
- Lidocaine has adverse effects on the nervous and cardiovascular systems such as hypotension, tachycardia, and dizziness.
- Lidocaine is not recommended for use in patients with hypertension, hypersensitivity, and coagulation abnormalities.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.