What Is Lidocaine?
Lidocaine is a medication that numbs the area in which it’s applied. It is in a class of medications called anaesthetics. When lidocaine is applied to the skin to relieve pain, it’s known as a topical analgesic (pain reliever).2
Lidocaine can come in many different dosage forms, such as:1
Creams
Gels
Ointments
Sprays
Patches
How Does Lidocaine Work?
Lidocaine can relieve many different types of pain by blocking pain signals sent from nerves in the skin. When targeting nerves to block pain signals, it creates a numbing sensation or a temporary loss of feeling.1
Unlike orally ingested pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (TYLENOL®), you can control how topical lidocaine targets your pain. When applied to your skin, it gives you pain relief only in the area that you apply it.
What Is Lidocaine Used For?
Topical lidocaine can be used to temporarily relieve pain. It can be used on the following areas:3
Back & Shoulders
Knees, elbows and ankles
Legs & Hips
Small Joints
Topical Lidocaine Benefits
Topical analgesics have several potential benefits. They include:4
Targeted pain relief — topical pain relievers such as lidocaine allow you to apply pain relief directly to the specific area where you need it the most
Provides another form of pain relief other than oral medication — topical lidocaine is well recognized as an effective option for the management of acute pain5
How To Use Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a topical pain reliever that you apply directly to your skin. Use it exactly as your doctor instructs or as listed on the package.1
Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, don’t apply topical lidocaine to irritated skin or skin with blisters, rashes, infections, or cuts.
You can apply a thin layer of lidocaine directly to clean dry skin.
Wash your hands before and after application to avoid numbness in your fingers.
Lidocaine and Other Topical Pain Reliever Ingredients
Topical pain relievers come in many forms (creams, gels, sprays, and patches) and there are several options available:
Lidocaine — is a topical analgesic that provides numbing relief for your aches and pains by blocking the signals of the nerve endings in the skin.
Diclofenac sodium — an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) found in many rub-on treatments. When absorbed into skin, it works to reduce inflammation.
Methyl salicylate — (oil of wintergreen) has a minty smell and creates a cooling sensation when applied to skin acting as a distraction to pain points.
Capsaicin — a compound found in chili peppers that produces a warming sensation.
Menthol — (mint camphor) causes a cooling sensation and that feeling desensitizes the nerve endings. Like ice packs, menthol decreases peripheral arterial blood flow.
Introducing PRECISE from the Makers of TYLENOL™
Lidocaine is the primary active ingredient in PRECISE pain relief creams. Learn more about our PRECISE pain relief creams by clicking here.