Introduction
Xylocaine is a locally effective anesthetic (local anesthetic). Used externally or applied to tissue, it allows minor medical procedures such as suturing to be performed painlessly and safely. Xylocaine can also be used by experienced users to anaesthetize larger areas by selectively numbing nerves. Furthermore, xylocaine is a drug that acts on the heart and can be used against rhythm disturbances.
Indication for Xylocaine
Interactions of xylocaine with other drugs usually occur when injected into the blood system and are rather rare when used as a spray or ointment. The combination with other drugs that act on the heart, such as antiarrhythmics and calcium antagonists, can lead to an increase or decrease of the respective effects. A combination of injection with adrenaline enhances the effect of xylocaine, which is often desired.
The same applies to use with blood pressure-lowering beta-blockers, narcotics and sedatives. Antiepileptic drugs weaken the effect of xylocaine. The effect of muscle relaxants can be enhanced by xylocaine. The effect of sulfonamide class antibiotics is decreased by xylocaine.
Xylocaine and alcohol – is it compatible?
Interactions of xylocaine and alcohol are not known, therefore no special caution is required when using xylocaine under the influence of alcohol.
Is the effectiveness of the pill affected?
There is no evidence that xylocaine affects the effectiveness of the pill.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Superficial treatment with local anesthetics during pregnancy and lactation is usually unproblematic, as hardly any active substance is absorbed into the circulation. During pregnancy, however, xylocaine should be avoided as a matter of principle and the local anesthetics articaine, bupivacaine or etidocaine should be used, since xylocaine is placenta-compatible and there is insufficient data to guarantee safe use. Xylocaine is not transmitted via breast milk, so there is no contraindication. However, superficial treatment in the breast area should be avoided.
Xylocaine ointment
As an ointment, xylocaine can be applied to the skin and mucous membranes – for example, as an anesthetic for minor (cosmetic) procedures on the skin or for piercing piercings. When applied to the skin, however, the ointment has to act for about an hour, depending on its exact composition – on the mucous membrane this process takes only a few minutes. A further area of application of the ointment is the premature ejaculation of the man.
Here, xylocaine ointment is applied to the glans before sexual intercourse to make it less sensitive to tactile stimuli and thus support delayed ejaculation. The application time is about half an hour. The effect of the ointment lasts for about one to two hours.
