Lidocaine 2% Visc Oral Solution
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication effectively, follow your doctor's instructions and read all accompanying information carefully.
If using as a mouth rinse, swish the medication in your mouth for as long as possible. Then, either swallow or spit it out as directed by your doctor or the label instructions.
If applying with a cotton swab, place the medication on the affected area as instructed by your doctor or the label.
After using this medication, wait at least 60 minutes (1 hour) before eating.
Before each use, shake the medication well. If you are taking a liquid dose, measure it carefully to ensure accuracy.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store the medication at room temperature, keeping it in a safe location.
Ensure that all medications are out of reach of children and pets.
Dispose of any unused or expired medication. Do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so by your doctor or pharmacist. If you have questions about disposing of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also have access to drug take-back programs in your area.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you use this medication on a regular basis and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If the missed dose is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule.
Do not apply two doses at once or take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
* If you use this medication as needed, do not take it more frequently than directed by your doctor.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Do not eat or drink for at least 60 minutes after using the solution to prevent choking or biting your tongue/cheek due to numbness.
- Avoid hot foods or liquids immediately after use, as you may not feel the heat and could burn yourself.
- Do not use more often or in larger amounts than prescribed.
- Keep out of reach of children, especially infants and young children, due to the risk of serious harm or death from accidental ingestion.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
- Lidocaine 4% Top Soln 50ml
- Lidocaine 2% Visc Oral Solution
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 10ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 2ml
- Lidocaine 4% Injection, 5ml
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 5ml
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 20ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 20ml
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 2ml
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 50ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 5ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 10ml
- Lidocaine 1% Inj, 30ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 50ml
- Lidocaine 2% Inj, 5ml
- Lidocaine 10mg/ml Inj, 5ml
- Lidocaine 3% Cream 28.35gm
- Lidocaine 3% Cream 85gm
- Lidocaine 2% Topical Jelly 5ml
- Lidocaine 2% Topical Jelly 10ml
- Lidocaine 2% Topical Jelly 20ml
- Lidocaine 20mg/ml Inj, 5ml
- Lidocaine 2% Jelly Gel (uro-Jet)5ml
- Lidocaine 0.5% Inj, 50ml
- Lidocaine 5% Patch
- Lidocaine 5% Topical Ointment 30gm
- Lidocaine 5% Topical Oint 35.44gm
- Lidocaine 5% Topical Ointment 50gm
- Lidocaine 1.5% Inj, 1 Ampule
- Lidocaine 5% Top/oral Oint 50gm
- Lidocaine 4% Cream 15gm
- Lidocaine 4% Cream 30gm
- Lidocaine 4% Cream 5gm
- Lidocaine 3% Cream 85gm
- Lidocaine Pain Relief 4% Patch
- Lidocaine 5% Top/oral Oint (sprmt)
- Lidocaine 5% Anorectal Cream
- Lidocaine 4% Cream 15gm
- Lidocaine 5% Topical Ointment 30gm
- Lidocaine 5% Anorectal Cream 15gm
- Lidocaine Pain Relief 4% Patch
- Lidocaine 5% Cream 30gm
- Lidocaine 2% Inj 25ml
- Lidocaine 5% Ointment 50gm
- Lidocaine 4% Cream 15gm
- Lidocaine 4% Topical Pain Patch
- Lidocaine 3%/hc 0.5% Cream 28.3gm
- Lidocaine 2% Topical Jelly 30ml
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of acidosis (too much acid in the blood), such as:
+ Confusion
+ Fast breathing
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Irregular heartbeat
+ Severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
+ Excessive sleepiness
+ Shortness of breath
+ Feeling extremely tired or weak
Signs of methemoglobinemia, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, such as:
+ Blue or gray discoloration of the lips, nails, or skin
+ Irregular heartbeat
+ Seizures
+ Severe dizziness or fainting
+ Severe headache
+ Excessive sleepiness
+ Feeling extremely tired or weak
+ Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulties, including slow or shallow breathing
Severe numbness and tingling
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, confused, or experiencing blurred vision
Seizures
Changes in vision
Feeling nervous and excitable
Dizziness or fainting
Ringing in the ears
Nausea or vomiting
Feeling extremely hot or cold
Shakiness
Twitching
Slow heartbeat
Chest pain
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. However, many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they persist, contact your doctor:
Irritation at the site of application
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Blurred or double vision
- Tremors or muscle twitching
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Difficulty breathing
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
All medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins. This information will help your doctor and pharmacist assess potential interactions between this medication and other substances you are taking.
* Any existing health problems, as this medication may interact with certain conditions.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your current medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
There is a risk of developing a severe blood condition called methemoglobinemia associated with this type of drug. Certain factors may increase this risk, including:
- Having glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- Pre-existing heart problems
- Pre-existing lung problems
- Taking specific other medications
- Being an infant under 6 months of age
If you have a history of methemoglobinemia, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Note that different brands of this medication may be suitable for children of varying ages. Before administering this drug to a child, consult with their doctor to ensure the correct brand and dosage are used.
When giving this medication to a child, exercise caution, as the risk of certain side effects may be higher in pediatric patients.
To avoid accidental injury, do not eat until the numbness in your mouth has resolved, as you may inadvertently bite your tongue.
If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to experiencing side effects.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, inform your doctor. It is crucial to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Confusion, disorientation
- Tremors, muscle twitching, seizures
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest
- Coma
What to Do:
If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center (1-800-222-1222). In severe cases, emergency medical services may be required to manage seizures, support breathing, and stabilize cardiovascular function.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Class I antiarrhythmics (e.g., mexiletine, tocainide, flecainide, propafenone) - increased risk of cardiac depression and CNS effects.
- Other local anesthetics - increased risk of systemic toxicity.
Moderate Interactions
- Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol) - may decrease lidocaine clearance, increasing plasma levels and risk of toxicity.
- Cimetidine - may decrease lidocaine clearance, increasing plasma levels and risk of toxicity.
- Phenytoin - may increase lidocaine metabolism (CYP3A4 induction) but also has additive cardiac effects.
- Amiodarone - additive cardiac effects, increased risk of arrhythmias.
- CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir) - may increase lidocaine plasma concentrations.
- CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin) - may increase lidocaine plasma concentrations.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: Lidocaine is extensively metabolized by the liver; hepatic impairment increases risk of toxicity.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially in patients with suspected hepatic dysfunction.
Rationale: Metabolites are renally excreted; severe renal impairment can lead to metabolite accumulation.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially in patients with suspected renal dysfunction.
Rationale: Lidocaine can cause cardiovascular effects, especially with systemic absorption.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Continuously during treatment, especially after initial doses or dose increases.
Target: Absence of symptoms
Action Threshold: Any signs of dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, tinnitus, blurred vision, bradycardia, hypotension, or arrhythmias require immediate medical evaluation and potential discontinuation.
Frequency: Regularly, especially in patients at risk for systemic absorption.
Target: Within normal limits for the patient
Action Threshold: Significant bradycardia or hypotension.
Symptom Monitoring
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Tinnitus
- Blurred vision
- Tremors
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Arrhythmias
- Numbness of lips/tongue (beyond local effect)
- Metallic taste
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Lidocaine is considered Category B. Animal studies have not shown harm to the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Lidocaine is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. The amount ingested by the infant is generally considered too small to cause adverse effects. Use with caution, monitor infant for sedation or feeding difficulties.
Pediatric Use
Contraindicated in infants and children younger than 3 years of age due to risk of systemic toxicity, seizures, cardiopulmonary arrest, and death. In children >3 years, use with extreme caution, only if benefits outweigh risks, and with strict adherence to weight-based dosing and monitoring for systemic toxicity. Accidental ingestion or inappropriate use is a significant risk.
Geriatric Use
Use with caution. Elderly patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity due to decreased hepatic blood flow, reduced hepatic metabolism, and/or reduced renal function. Lower doses or extended dosing intervals may be necessary. Monitor closely for adverse effects.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Emphasize the Black Box Warning to caregivers of pediatric patients; this drug is NOT for routine use in infants and young children.
- Instruct patients to measure doses accurately using a dosing spoon or cup, not a household spoon.
- Advise patients to swish and gargle thoroughly to maximize local effect before spitting or swallowing.
- Warn patients about the risk of choking or biting their tongue/cheek due to numbness, especially when eating or drinking after use.
- Systemic absorption can occur even with spitting out the solution, especially if mucous membranes are compromised (e.g., severe mucositis).
- Monitor for CNS effects (dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, seizures) and cardiovascular effects (bradycardia, hypotension) as signs of systemic toxicity.
Alternative Therapies
- Benzydamine oral rinse (e.g., Tantum Verde)
- Diphenhydramine/Maalox/Lidocaine (Magic Mouthwash - compounded)
- Sucralfate suspension (for coating/protection)
- Systemic analgesics (e.g., NSAIDs, opioids) for severe pain
- Cryotherapy (ice chips) for mucositis prevention