Lidocaine/Tetracaine Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Lidocaine/Tetracaine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Lidocaine/Tetracaine - for the Consumer

Lidocaine/Tetracaine Patch

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Lidocaine/Tetracaine Patch:

Abnormal skin sensations; pale skin, redness, or swelling at the application site.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); burning, irritation, or severe redness or swelling at the application site.

Side Effects by Body System

Local

Local side effects have included erythema , blanching, edema, or abnormal sensation at the site of treatment. The most common of the local reactions were erythema (71%), blanching (12%), and edema (12%). These reactions were generally mild, and resolved spontaneously soon after treatment.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic or anaphylactoid reactions to the active or inactive ingredients. They may be characterized by urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, and shock.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects are unlikely with appropriate use of lidocaine-tetracaine topical. Potential side effect include CNS excitation and/or depression (light-headedness, nervousness, apprehension, euphoria, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, tinnitus, blurred or double vision, vomiting, sensations of heat, cold, or numbness, twitching, tremors, convulsions, unconsciousness, respiratory depression and arrest). Excitatory CNS reactions may be brief or not occur at all, in which case the first manifestation may be drowsiness developing into unconsciousness. Signs of CNS toxicity may start at plasma concentrations of lidocaine as low as 1000 ng/mL. The plasma concentrations at which tetracaine toxicity may occur are less well characterized; however, systemic toxicity with tetracaine is thought to occur with much lower plasma concentrations compared with lidocaine. The toxicity of co-administered local anesthetics is thought to be at least additive.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects are unlikely with appropriate use of lidocaine-tetracaine topical. Potential side effects include bradycardia, hypotension and cardiovascular collapse leading to arrest.

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