Two medicines, side by side
Lidocaine vs diclofenac
Lidocaine and diclofenac are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lidocaine since 1948 and of diclofenac since 1988. Pharmacies paid $0.154 per gram (Lidocaine 5% ointment) and $0.0619 per diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Lidocaine's other strengths are brand-only: $12.31 per unit (Ztlido 1.8% topical system). In FDA's classes, lidocaine is an amide local anesthetic and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the lidocaine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 13, 2024); the diclofenac FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 11, 2025).
Highlights of the lidocaine record
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) · label of May 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsXylocaine (lidocaine HCl) Injections are indicated for production of local or regional anesthesia by infiltration techniques such as percutaneous injection and intravenous regional anesthesia by peripheral nerve block techniques such as brachial plexus and intercostal and by central neural techniques such as lumbar and caudal epidural blocks, when the accepted procedures for these techniques as described in standard textbooks are observed. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 19, 1948
- Generic labelers
- 81 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.154 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 39
Highlights of the diclofenac record
Diclofenac (Voltaren) · label of February 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• for the temporary relief of arthritis pain ONLY in the following areas: o hand, wrist, elbow (upper body areas) o foot, ankle, knee (lower body areas) • this product may take up to 7 days to work for arthritis pain; it is not for immediate relief. If no pain relief in 7 days, stop use.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 28, 1988
- Generic labelers
- 149 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0619 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lidocaine label of May 13, 2024, Diclofenac label of February 11, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lidocaine and diclofenac differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lidocaine is an amide local anesthetic and diclofenac a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the diclofenac label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: lidocaine since 1971; diclofenac since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lidocaine | Diclofenac | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Amide Local Anesthetic, Antiarrhythmic | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Lidocaine HCl stabilizes the neuronal membrane by inhibiting the ionic fluxes required for the initiation and conduction of impulses thereby effecting local anesthetic action. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of lidocaine HCl following an intravenous bolus injection is typically 1.5 to 2 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 19, 1948 | July 28, 1988 |
| First generic approved | June 30, 1971 | June 29, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 81 labelers | 149 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.154 per gram (Lidocaine 5% ointment) | $0.0619 per tablet (Diclofenac sod DR 75 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -8% | -25% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 39 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,853 | 158,675 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diclofenac label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to lidocaine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions