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Lidocaine Hydrochloride (Monograph)

Drug class: Class Ib Antiarrhythmics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 10, 2024. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Antiarrhythmic agent; an amide-type local anesthetic, class Ib agent.

Uses for Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Ventricular Arrhythmias

Used as an alternative to other antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., amiodarone, procainamide, sotalol) for the acute treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias such as those that occur following MI or during cardiac manipulative procedures such as cardiac surgery.

Used during cardiac arrest for treatment of refractory (i.e., resistant to CPR, defibrillation, and a vasopressor [epinephrine]) VF or pulseless VT. Considered an alternative to amiodarone for this use in current ACLS guidelines in adults; in pediatric patients, current evidence supports use of either amiodarone or lidocaine.

Use as an alternative to other antiarrhythmic agents or synchronized electrical cardioversion in the treatment of hemodynamically stable monomorphic VT; however, other agents (e.g., procainamide, sotalol, amiodarone) preferred.

Status Epilepticus

Treatment of status epilepticus [off-label], as a last resort.

Lidocaine Hydrochloride Dosage and Administration

General

Ventricular Arrhythmias

Administration

Administer IV. Has been administered IM (IM formulation no longer commercially available in the US).

Also has been administered via endotracheal tube [off-label] or by intraosseous (IO) injection [off-label] during cardiac resuscitation when IV administration is not possible. Although endotracheal [off-label] administration also is possible, IV or IO [off-label] administration is preferred because of more predictable drug delivery and pharmacologic effect. (See Absorption under Pharmacokinetics.)

IV Administration

Administer as a bolus IV injection for initial treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Maintenance IV infusions may be required to maintain normal sinus rhythm if oral antiarrhythmic therapy is not feasible.

Injections containing preservatives should not be given IV.

Do not introduce additives into solutions of lidocaine in 5% dextrose, since dosage is titrated to response.

Do not add to blood transfusion assemblies.

Do not use commercially available solutions of lidocaine in 5% dextrose in series connections with other plastic containers; such use could result in air embolism.

Rate of Administration

Administer IV bolus dose at a rate of 25–50 mg/minute.

Administer maintenance infusions at a rate of 1–4 mg/minute (14–57 mcg/kg per minute) in adults or 10–50 mcg/kg per minute in pediatric patients.

For other populations, see Special Populations under Dosage and Administration.

Standardize 4 Safety

Standardized concentrations for lidocaine hydrochloride have been established through Standardize 4 Safety (S4S), a national patient safety initiative to reduce medication errors, especially during transitions of care. Because recommendations from the S4S panels may differ from the manufacturer’s prescribing information, caution is advised when using concentrations that differ from labeling, particularly when using rate information from the label. For additional information on S4S (including updates that may be available), see [Web].

The recommended concentrations are intended for cardiac indications only.

dosing units differ from concentration units

Table 1: Standardize 4 Safety Continuous IV Infusion Standard Concentrations for Lidocaine Hydrochloride249250

Patient Population

Concentration Standards

Dosing Units

Adults

8 mg/mL

mg/min

Pediatric patients (<50 kg)

4 mg/mL

mcg/kg/min

8 mg/mL

Endotracheal Administration

For endotracheal administration in adults, dilute dose in 5–10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection or sterile water.

In pediatric patients, flush with 5 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection after dose is administered.

Dilution in sterile water may increase absorption of lidocaine.

Dosage

Available as lidocaine hydrochloride; dosage is expressed in terms of the salt.

Pediatric Patients

Ventricular Arrhythmias
IV

Controlled clinical studies to establish pediatric dosing have not been performed.

Some clinicians have suggested initial dose of 0.5–1 mg/kg as a rapid IV injection (i.e., bolus); dose may be repeated according to patient response, up to a maximum total dose of 3–5 mg/kg. Maintenance infusion of 10–50 mcg/kg per minute.

Pediatric Resuscitation
IV/IO

For shock-refractory VF or pulseless VT: 1 mg/kg initially, followed by maintenance infusion of 20–50 mcg/kg per minute. If time between initial bolus dose and onset of IV infusion >15 minutes, repeat bolus dose.

Endotracheal

Optimal dose not established, but usually 2–2.5 times the recommended IV dosage.

Adults

Ventricular Arrhythmias
IV

Usual initial dose is 50–100 mg administered as a direct IV injection. If desired response is not achieved, a second dose may be administered 5 minutes after completion of the first injection.

For hemodynamically stable monomorphic VT: AHA recommends initial dose of 1–1.5 mg/kg, followed by 0.5–0.75 mg/kg repeated at 5- to 10-minute intervals as necessary, up to a maximum total dose of 3 mg/kg.

ACLS
IV/IO

For refractory VF or pulseless VT: 1–1.5 mg/kg as initial loading dose, then 0.5–0.75 mg/kg repeated at 5- to 10-minute intervals as necessary, up to a total of 3 doses (or up to 3 mg/kg).

Endotracheal

Optimal dose not established, but usually 2–2.5 times the recommended IV dosage.

Status Epilepticus†
IV

Initially, 1 mg/kg. After 2 minutes, administer 0.5 mg/kg if seizure is not terminated. Maintenance infusion of 30 mcg/kg per minute for prevention of seizure recurrence.

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Ventricular Arrhythmias
IV

Maximum total dose of 200–300 mg over a 1-hour period.

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Careful and individualized dosing recommended.

Renal Impairment

Dosage modification not required.

Decreased Cardiac Output

Smaller bolus doses may be required.

Some clinicians recommend infusion rates <30 mcg/kg per minute in patients with CHF.

Patients Requiring Prolonged Therapy

Possible increased half-life following infusions lasting>24 hours; reduce dosage accordingly (e.g., by 50%) to avoid accumulation of the drug and potential toxicity.

Cautions for Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Cardiac Monitoring

Constant ECG monitoring is necessary during IV administration. Discontinue infusion if signs of excessive cardiac depression occur (e.g., prolongation of PR interval and QRS complex, appearance or aggravation of arrhythmias).

Severe Reactions

Resuscitative equipment and drugs should be immediately available for the management of severe adverse cardiovascular, respiratory, or CNS effects. Discontinue therapy if severe reactions occur; institute emergency resuscitative procedures and other supportive measures as required.

Severe reactions may be preceded by somnolence and paresthesia.

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Possible hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., skin lesions, urticaria, edema, anaphylactoid reactions).

General Precautions

Prolonged Therapy

Possible increased half-life following infusions lasting >24 hours; reduce dosage accordingly (see Patients Requiring Prolonged Therapy under Dosage and Administration).

If maintenance therapy is necessary, an oral antiarrhythmic agent is recommended.

Nervous System Effects

Possible muscle twitching or tremors, seizures, unconsciousness, and coma; may be associated with high doses or overdosage.

Cardiovascular Effects

Possible hypotension, arrhythmias, heart block, cardiovascular collapse, and bradycardia, which may lead to cardiac arrest in patients with high plasma lidocaine concentrations or myocardial conduction defects.

Possible serious ventricular arrhythmias or heart block in patients with sinus bradycardia.

Possible increased sensitivity to cardiac depressant effects in patients with a diseased or abnormal sinus node.

Possible increased ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Possible increased coronary blood flow in patients with recent MI.

Possible myocardial and circulatory depression.

Cautious use recommended in patients with any form of heart block, CHF, marked hypoxia, severe respiratory depression, hypovolemia, or shock.

Respiratory Effects

Possible respiratory depression and arrest; may be associated with high doses or overdosage.

Local Effects

Possible local thrombophlebitis in patients receiving prolonged IV infusions.

Tissue infiltration may lead to local ischemia, tissue injury, and ulceration.

Laboratory Test Interference

Possible increased serum CK (CPK) concentrations associated with IM injections. Isoenzyme separation is necessary when CK determinations are used in the diagnosis of acute MI.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category B.

Lactation

Distributed into milk. Use with caution.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in controlled clinical studies; however, lidocaine has been used for treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in infants and children.

Hepatic Impairment

Use with caution. (See Pharmacokinetics and also see Hepatic Impairment under Dosage and Administration.)

Renal Impairment

Use with caution in severe renal impairment. (See Elimination: Special Populations, under Pharmacokinetics.)

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse CNS effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, confusion, lightheadedness, tremulousness, psychosis, nervousness, apprehension, agitation, euphoria, tinnitus, visual disturbances, paresthesia, difficulty swallowing, dyspnea, slurred speech, sensations of heat, cold, or numbness), nausea, vomiting.

Drug Interactions

Antiarrhythmic Agents

Potential pharmacologic interaction (additive or antagonistic cardiac effects and additive toxicity) with concomitant administration of antiarrhythmic agents (e.g., phenytoin, procainamide, propranolol, quinidine).

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Cimetidine

Decreased lidocaine clearance

Monitor serum lidocaine concentrations and observe closely for signs of lidocaine toxicity

Phenytoin

Possible increased lidocaine metabolism

Clinical importance unknown

Propranolol

Decreased lidocaine clearance

Monitor serum lidocaine concentrations and observe closely for signs of lidocaine toxicity

Succinylcholine

Increased neuromuscular blocking effect

Appears to be important only at lidocaine doses higher than those used clinically

Lidocaine Hydrochloride Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Absorbed from the GI tract, but passes into hepatic circulation and only about 35% of an oral dose reaches the systemic circulation unchanged. Toxic effects appear at oral doses that fail to produce therapeutic plasma concentrations.

Following IM (deltoid) injection, peak plasma concentrations are achieved in 10 minutes.

Absorbed in trachea; when administered endotracheally, plasma concentrations generally lower than those achieved with vascular administration. Absorption is biphasic. Endotracheal absorption may be increased by diluting the drug in sterile water instead of 0.9% sodium chloride injection.

Onset

Following direct IV (bolus) administration of 50–100 mg, onset of action is 45–90 seconds.

Duration

Following direct IV (bolus) administration of 50–100 mg, duration is 10–20 minutes.

Plasma Concentrations

Plasma lidocaine concentrations of 1–5 mcg/mL are required to suppress ventricular arrhythmias; concentrations exceeding 5 mcg/mL associated with toxicity.

Distribution

Extent

Widely distributed into body tissues. Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Crosses the placenta and is distributed into milk.

Early, rapid decline in plasma concentrations is associated with distribution into highly perfused tissues (e.g., kidneys, lungs, liver, heart); slower elimination phase associated with metabolism and redistribution into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Plasma Protein Binding

Binding is variable and concentration dependent; 60 –80% bound to plasma proteins at concentrations of 1–4 mcg/mL. Partially bound to α1-acid glycoprotein.

Special Populations

Volume of distribution is decreased in patients with CHF and increased in patients with liver disease.

Elimination

Metabolism

Approximately 90% of a parenteral dose is metabolized rapidly in the liver by de-ethylation to the active metabolites monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide (GX). Rate of metabolism appears to be limited by hepatic blood flow.

Elimination Route

Excreted in urine principally as metabolites.

Half-life

Lidocaine has an initial half-life of 7–30 minutes and a terminal half-life of 1.5–2 hours. Elimination half-lives of MEGX and GX are 2 and 10 hours, respectively.

Special Populations

Rate of metabolism of lidocaine may be decreased and the half-life increased in patients with liver disease. Major differences may exist in pharmacokinetics for different types of liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis); no consistent correlation established between clearance and severity of liver disease (as determined by liver function tests).

GX may accumulate in patients with renal failure.

In patients with MI, the half-lives of lidocaine and its metabolites appear to be prolonged.

In patients with CHF, half-life of lidocaine may be prolonged.

In individuals receiving continuous IV infusions lasting >24 hours, half-life of lidocaine may be prolonged.

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Injection

25°C; may be exposed briefly to temperatures up to 40°C. Do not freeze; protect from excessive heat.

Extemporaneously prepared solutions (1–4 mg/mL in 5% dextrose injection) appear to be stable at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

Actions

Advice to Patients

Additional Information

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Parenteral

Injection, for direct IV injection

10 mg/mL*

Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection for Cardiac Arrhythmias

20 mg/mL*

Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection for Cardiac Arrhythmias

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Lidocaine Hydrochloride in Dextrose

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Parenteral

Injection, for IV infusion

4 mg/mL (1 or 2 g) Lidocaine Hydrochloride in 5% Dextrose*

0.4% Lidocaine Hydrochloride and 5% Dextrose Injection

8 mg/mL (2 or 4 g) Lidocaine Hydrochloride in 5% Dextrose*

0.8% Lidocaine Hydrochloride and 5% Dextrose Injection

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions September 10, 2024. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Off-label: Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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