Two medicines, side by side
Phenol vs lidocaine
Phenol and lidocaine are both labeled for pain. Pharmacies paid $0.0124 per mL (Gnp sore throat 1.4% spray) and $0.154 per gram (Lidocaine 5% ointment) (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).
Check it at the source: the phenol FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 26, 2025); the lidocaine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 13, 2024).
Highlights of the phenol record
Phenol · label of September 26, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat. Uses for the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat. Uses for the temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, sore mouth and sore throat.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0124 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Phenol label of September 26, 2025, Lidocaine label of May 13, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do phenol and lidocaine differ on the record?
Generics: phenol none approved; lidocaine since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Phenol | Lidocaine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Amide Local Anesthetic, Antiarrhythmic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The elimination half-life of lidocaine HCl following an intravenous bolus injection is typically 1.5 to 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | November 19, 1948 |
| First generic approved | none | June 30, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 81 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0124 per mL (Gnp sore throat 1.4% spray) | $0.154 per gram (Lidocaine 5% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 273 | 71,853 |
| 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 next?
- Alternatives to phenol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions