lidocaine
n a widely used local anaesthetic administered by injection for minor surgery and dental procedures. For the latter it is normally used in combination with adrenaline to achieve better and longer anaesthesia. It can also be applied directly to the eye, throat, and mouth, as it is absorbed through mucous membranes, and to the skin. Lidocaine is also injected to treat conditions involving abnormal heart rhythm, particularly myocardial infarction. When used as a local anaesthetic, side-effects are uncommon.
Lidocaine injection is used to treat arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Lidocaine injection is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking lidocaine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Experimental animal studies did not find that lidocaine would affect fertility. One human study reported no significant difference in fertilization rates between follicles exposed to lidocaine and those not exposed. Any specific concerns about fertility should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking lidocaine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if lidocaine can increase the chance of miscarriage. This is a question worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Does taking lidocaine increase the risk of birth defects?
Birth defects occur in about 3 out of 100 babies overall. The available data suggests that one study of 293 women exposed to lidocaine during the first four months of pregnancy did not find a higher chance of birth defects, and human case reports and animal studies do not suggest that lidocaine would significantly increase this chance. Individual circumstances should be reviewed with your healthcare provider.
Can taking lidocaine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether lidocaine increases the chance of complications like preterm delivery or low birth weight. There are a few case reports of newborn side effects (such as low muscle tone, dilated pupils, breathing trouble, apnea, or seizures) when lidocaine was used at delivery, as well as case reports without any concerns. Your healthcare provider can discuss what this might mean for your situation.
Can taking lidocaine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The limited data available suggets that studies have not been done to see if lidocaine can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. Because this specific question has not been studied, any concerns are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking lidocaine?
Studies suggest that lidocaine passes into breastmilk in small amounts and is not well absorbed by the baby, and that breastfeeding after receiving lidocaine is unlikely to cause problems for a nursing child. Decisions about breastfeeding while using lidocaine should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
lidocaine