Lidocaine is a local anesthetic used to numb specific areas of the body for pain relief and medical procedures. It’s one of the most widely used medications in medicine, available in creams, gels, patches, sprays, and injectable forms. Ever since its discovery and availability for sale and use in the late 1940s, lidocaine has become an exceptionally commonly used medication. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic of the amide type. It is used to provide local anesthesia by nerve blockade at various sites in the body. Lidocaine is used as a local anesthetic, during tracheal intubation, and for the treatment of arrhythmias. Lidocaine works by blocking the influx of sodium ions into the membrane surrounding nerves. Lidocaine helps to reduce sharp/burning/aching pain as well as discomfort caused by skin areas that are overly sensitive to touch. Lidocaine belongs to a class of drugs known as local anesthetics. It works by causing a temporary loss of feeling in the area where you apply the patch. Overview: Lidocaine for mucous membranes (such as the mouth and throat) is commonly used to prevent and relieve pain or to numb part of your body before a procedure. The most common side effects. Lidocaine skin patch is used to relieve nerve pain caused by herpes zoster or shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Lidocaine belongs to the family of medicines called local anesthetics. Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic medication of the class Ib type. [10] This means it works by blocking sodium channels thus decreasing the rate of contractions of the heart. [13][10] When injected near nerves, the nerves cannot conduct signals to or from the brain. Lidocaine is a widely used medication known for its ability to numb pain in a specific area of the body. As a local anesthetic, it temporarily interrupts nerve signals, reducing the sensation of pain in a specific area of the body. The most widely used medications in dentistry are local anesthetics (LA), especially lidocaine, and the number of recorded adverse allergic responses, particularly of hazardous responses, is quite low. Lidocaine topical is a local anesthetic (numbing medication). There are many brands and forms of lidocaine topical available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet. Lidocaine topical (for use on the skin) is used to provide temporary relief of muscle or joint pain or discomfort.