Definition
Lidocaine belongs to the group of drugs known as local anesthetics. Since lidocaine is poorly soluble in water but well soluble in fat, it is suitable to be absorbed through the skin. The drug works in the different layers of the skin and is only absorbed into the bloodstream in small amounts. The ability of the local nerves, especially the pain-conducting fibers, to transmit the pain is blocked and the perception of pain is suppressed. Serious side effects are very rare, but local reactions can occur more frequently.
Duration of the effect of a lidocaine patch
A lidocaine patch used to treat neuralgia is usually left on the skin for twelve hours and then loses its effect. After the patch has been removed, a drug-free period of twelve hours should also be observed before the next patch is applied. If used for a short time in preparation for an injection, the effect lasts only a few minutes to hours.
Indication
There are two main groups of applications for lidocaine patches. Since the effect lasts only for a short time, long-term therapy for chronic pain is not advisable. In the case of back pain and similar illnesses, the patches often do not have a sufficient effect because the active ingredient hardly penetrates deeper than the skin layers.
- The first area is post-herpetic neuralgia. After herpes zoster infections, nerve pain occurs in about 10 to 20 percent of those affected. The pain occurs despite healed skin and the lidocaine patch may only be used on intact skin.
Risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia are Herpes zoster infections of the face, the female sex, advanced age, tumors and lack of primary antiviral therapy for zoster shingles or herpes zoster
- The second area of application is pain prevention for minor procedures. Particularly in pediatrics, the affected children are given a lidocaine patch on their hand before an access is placed to prevent the pain of puncture. Other minor surgical treatments of the skin can also be performed under local anesthesia with Lidocaine patches.
There are several causes for back pain.
For muscle-related pain or spinal complaints, lidocaine patches are not sufficient in most cases because the active ingredient does not penetrate deep enough. For back pain in the skin area or pain that is caused by nerves in the subcutis, a Lidocaine patch can soothe the pain. After zoster infections in the back, the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia can also be reduced.
The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve that emerges from the brainstem and is divided into three main branches. These branches emerge from the skull at certain points on the face. The points are above the eyes, next to the nose and on the chin.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a very painful irritation of the nerve with facial pain. Sodium channel blockers, which include lidocaine, can be used for acute therapy. However, if the improvement is insufficient, risky operations must be considered. The active substance can also be administered via other forms of administration such as creams and ointments. or also Lidocaine ointment and Lidocaine cream
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