Lidocaine topical and Sweating: What Users Say

• Ele...
• November 14, 2018

Lidocaine topical "I used Lidoderm patches for years with wonderful results. Then generics came out. The Activas brand is close to the name brand, but I end up with my fingers sticky because there is adhesive you can’t avoid when you peel off the plastic. Now I have CVS Caremark for my prescription coverage and was sent a 90-day supply of Mylan patches. These are awful! The previously mentioned patches have a cloth feel on the outside. Not Mylan! Mylan patches have a plastic backing. I can get the patch to stick to my skin, but within 30 minutes, my sweating behind the patch, because the plastic backing doesn’t allow the patch to breathe. Once I start sweating, the patch doesn’t adhere, so it is no longer delivering medication! If I wait a few minutes, the Mylan patch just slides off. Do not bother with the Mylar brand patch. It is worthless! I highly recommend the name brand Lidoderm patch."

• Cat...
• November 27, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I tried the MYLAN 5% patches that the VA prescribes... and like other vets, I can accurately report they are garbage and don't stick to the skin. I tried the topical cream... which was okay if in a pinch... but it's sticky! I have to cover both arms and both legs repeatedly, so this wasn't necessarily a good fit for me. Finally, I was prescribed the QUALITEST brand of the 5% lidocaine patch through the VA and am very happy with the product. The patches actually stick to my skin and stay put! Of course, don't get them wet or do activities where you will sweat quite a bit or they will start peeling at the edges. I'm just thankful they actually stay on. I use them mostly at night when I'm falling asleep. It helps so, so, so much!!!"

• DR_...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2017

For Pain "Lidoderm 5% patch 700 mg (50 mg/gram) by Endo Pharmaceuticals worked wonders. Patch stayed in place and provided much-needed pain relief. Now my pharmacy only carries the Lidocaine 5% patch 140 mg (50 mg/gram) by Mylan. This new substitute by Mylan is horrible. It is a plastic-like patch that will not stick to skin, does not breathe, and causes sweating underneath, which causes even less adherence to skin. Even using tape over the patch doesn't help. Unlike the previous Endo patch, this new patch crinkles up on the skin and there appears to be no effective benefit of pain relief that was easily achieved with the previous Endo Lidoderm patch. Do I want to pay for an off-brand that my insurance company does not cover? Possibly. What a racket."

• JS2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2023

"I use these patches on my knees to help with extreme pain from arthritis and cartilage loss. I use Teva 5% prescription patches, 10 cm x 14 cm, and I cut the patch in half and place one half on each knee. They do a very good job with the pain, however, I am noticing that about 15-30 minutes after applying the patches, I get very nauseous, I start to sweat, and my blood pressure seems to go up to 150/90 from its normal level of about 130/80. If I take the patches off, then these side effects seem to go away. In my casual testing, I think the lidocaine is causing these side effects. I haven't tested it enough to be sure, and I came online to see if anyone else has issues like this from lidocaine patches. I'm going to experiment some more and see if it is definitely the lidocaine. It's a shame because they relieve the pain well, and I am always looking for non-opioid versions of pain relief to help my knees out! If anyone else notices side effects like this from lidocaine patches, please leave a comment."