There’s a lot you need to know before you use it…
Lidocaine is a powerful painkiller, one that is used for many applications–including dental work. However, even in small quantities, it can be a useful treatment for a wide variety of pains, which is why it has been used to make the Lidoderm patch. The Lidoderm patch contains just 5% of the medication, but it offers amazing pain-relieving benefits to those who use it.
Oddly enough, it’s not exactly known how the Lidoderm patch works. It is believed that the patch, when applied directly to the painful area, allows the lidocaine in the patch to seep into the skin and travel to the nerves and muscles that are affected. Using the patch will not flood your body with lidocaine, but it will provide a small enough quantity that your pain will be greatly diminished. Whether you’re using it as a treatment for shingles or any other painful problem, it can be a highly effective solution.
The beauty of the Lidoderm patch is that you don’t need to worry about negative interactions with oral pain medications. Considering that such a small amount of the drug seeps into your body, it will have a positive effect with a much lower risk of drug interactions. You can continue to take the oral medication (if your doctor permits/recommends it), all while using the Lidoderm patch. It’s a good solution for dealing with pain in a very specific location!
READ MORE: Chronic Ankle Pain: 10 Reasons Why
There are a few things you need to know about using the Lidoderm patch:
How to use it — If you are going to use the Lidoderm patch, ONLY use it for up to 12 hours at a time. Always make sure to take the patch off after 12 hours, and leave it off for 12 hours before applying a new one. Leaving the patch on for longer than 12 hours may lead to side effects, and you need that 12 hours without the patch to give your body a break.
Be careful! — Never touch your eyes immediately after applying the Lidoderm patch. It goes without saying that you should never apply the patch to or near your eyes, but you should make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after application of the patch anywhere on your body. Contact with your eye can lead to serious side effects.
Be careful when using heating pads, heating blankets, or hot water bottles. The Lidoderm patch hasn’t been tested to evaluate how it reacts when exposed to direct heat, and there could be unforeseen consequences.
If you suffer from any form of liver disease, talk to your doctor before trying the Lidoderm patch. The medication may cause serious side effects, as the body needs the liver to process the medication. If your liver is unhealthy (due to disease), it may not be able to handle the influx of medication.
Pregnant and nursing mothers should use the patch with EXTREME caution, and only according to the directions of a doctor. It is not expected to be harmful to the baby or mother, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Your doctor will be able to counsel you on how best to take the medication.
There is a risk that the numbing medication can cause negative side effects, and there is even a risk of fatality (though thankfully it is a very low risk). If you apply the patch to a part of your skin that has been cut or where open sores are present, you may end up absorbing more lidocaine than is healthy, leading to negative side effects.
