lidocaine topical

Name: lidocaine topical — FDA Drug Safety & Adverse Event Data
Creator: PlainMeds
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Reviewed byPlainmeds Editorial, Drug Information Editorial Team · June 5, 2026

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Brand names: Lidoderm

Topical Anesthetic Rx

Lidoderm is a skin patch that contains the numbing medicine lidocaine. It is used to relieve nerve pain after shingles.

Drug Shortage Alert

lidocaine topical is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Sintetica US. Status: Available.

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Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.09/unit

Generic Available

Yes (72 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

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What it does

Lidoderm is used to relieve pain caused by post-herpetic neuralgia.

Common side effects

Blisters where you put the patch, Bruising where you put the patch, Burning feeling where you put the patch

Key warnings

Using Lidoderm with certain drugs can increase the risk of a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia.

How It Works

Lidoderm contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic. It works by numbing the area where you apply the patch. This reduces pain signals in that area.

How to Take It

Apply Lidoderm to the area where you feel the most pain. You can use up to 3 patches at a time. Only wear the patch for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period. You can cut the patches smaller with scissors before removing the backing.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Lidoderm. It is not known if Lidoderm can harm your unborn baby. It is also not known if Lidoderm passes into breast milk.

Missed Dose

Apply the patch as soon as you remember, but do not wear it for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.

Storage

Store Lidoderm patches at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F) and keep them in the sealed envelope.

Serious Warnings

Using Lidoderm with certain drugs can increase the risk of a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate acetaminophen

Drugs That May Cause Methemoglobinemia When Used with LIDODERM Patients who are administered local anesthetics are at increased risk of developing methemoglobinemia when concurrently exposed to the following drugs, which could include other local anesthetics: Examples of Drugs Associated with Methemoglobinemia : Class Examples Nitrates/Nitrites nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide Local anesthetics articaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, procaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine Antineoplastic agents cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifos...

Mechanism: Both of these drugs can change how your red blood cells carry oxygen, which might lead to a rare but serious blood condition.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of low oxygen if you use these medications at the same time.

moderate nitrofurantoin

Mechanism: Both drugs can cause a blood problem that makes it hard for your body to get enough oxygen. Using them together increases the risk of this serious condition.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of low oxygen, like blue skin or trouble breathing. Use this combination with caution.

moderate valproate

Mechanism: These medications can both lead to a rare blood disorder that prevents oxygen from moving through your body. Taking them at the same time makes this side effect more likely.

What to do: Watch for symptoms like headache or dizziness and tell your doctor if they occur. Your healthcare provider may need to check your blood more often.

moderate chloroquine

Mechanism: Both drugs can interfere with how your blood carries oxygen, which can lead to a dangerous health issue. Combining them makes this problem more likely to happen.

What to do: Use these drugs together only if your doctor says it is necessary and monitors you closely. Seek help immediately if your skin, lips, or fingernails look blue or gray.

moderate mexiletine

Drug Interactions Antiarrhythmic Drugs LIDODERM should be used with caution in patients receiving Class I antiarrhythmic drugs (such as tocainide and mexiletine) since the toxic effects are additive and potentially synergistic.

Mechanism: These drugs have similar effects on the body, so taking them together can cause their toxic side effects to build up. This makes the risk of a bad reaction much higher than taking just one.

What to do: Your doctor should use caution and may need to adjust your dosages. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy or notice changes in your heartbeat.

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Common Questions

Can I use more than 3 patches at once?

No, do not use more than 3 patches at a time.

How long should I wear the patch?

Wear the patch for up to 12 hours within a 24 hour period.

Can I cut the patch if it's too big?

Yes, you can cut the patch into smaller sizes with scissors.

Can I get the patch wet?

Lidoderm may not stick if it gets wet. Avoid contact with water, such as bathing, swimming, or showering.

What should I do with used patches?

Fold used patches so the sticky side sticks to itself. Throw them away where children and pets cannot get to them.

What if the patch causes irritation?

If you get irritation or a burning feeling, take off the patch. Do not put another patch on until the irritation goes away.

Can I use other numbing medicines with Lidoderm?

Tell your doctor if you are using other products that contain numbing medicines. The amount of medicine absorbed from all products must be considered.

What if a child swallows or touches a Lidoderm patch?

Lidoderm should be kept out of the reach of children. Seek medical attention immediately.

Who should not use Lidoderm?

You should not take this if you are allergic to numbing medicines of the amide type, or to any other ingredient in the patch.

What if I miss a dose?

Apply the patch as soon as you remember, but do not wear it for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.

What are the common side effects of lidocaine topical?

The most commonly reported side effects of lidocaine topical include Blisters where you put the patch, Bruising where you put the patch, Burning feeling where you put the patch, Skin color changes where you put the patch, Skin irritation where you put the patch. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.

Does lidocaine topical interact with other medications?

Yes, lidocaine topical has 10 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include acetaminophen, nitrofurantoin, valproate. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

What drug class is lidocaine topical?

lidocaine topical belongs to the Topical Anesthetic drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Lidoderm is used to relieve pain caused by post-herpetic neuralgia.

Is lidocaine topical safe during pregnancy?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Lidoderm. It is not known if Lidoderm can harm your unborn baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Is lidocaine topical currently in shortage?

Yes, lidocaine topical is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Sintetica US. Status: Available. Visit the FDA Drug Shortages database for the latest updates.

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What the FDA Data Shows for lidocaine topical

The FDA label for lidocaine topical (sold under brand names such as Lidoderm) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Topical Anesthetic class. Lidoderm is used to relieve pain caused by post-herpetic neuralgia. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Blisters where you put the patch, Bruising where you put the patch, Burning feeling where you put the patch.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 10 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.09.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: December 2, 2022

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

All federal data sources used on this page

FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages