Lidocaine

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic, analgesic, antiarrhythmic, and antipruritic agent belonging to the class of local anaesthetics. Its effects are based on the inhibition of sodium ion influx through voltage-gated sodium channels into nerve cells. Indications include the prevention and treatment of pain and pruritus, anaesthesia, and cardiac arrhythmias. The drug is administered topically or parenterally. Topical administration may cause local reactions as side effects. The most common possible adverse effects of parenteral administration include bradycardia, paraesthesias, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. Inadvertent intravascular administration or overdose is potentially life-threatening. Lidocaine (ATC D04AB01) has local anaesthetic, analgesic, antipruritic, and antiarrhythmic properties. It has a rapid onset of action and an intermediate duration of effect. Its effects are based on the inhibition of sodium ion influx through voltage-gated sodium channels into nerve cells. This suppresses depolarisation and impulse conduction along the nerve fibres. As a result, the tissue becomes insensitive to pain. The half-life is approximately two hours. Mechanism of action of local anaesthetics, click to enlarge. Illustration © PharmaWiki