Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP (Pfizer Canada, PM 00067087)
What is Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP used for?
Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP is used in adults to treat:
- ventricular tachycardia (an abnormally fast heartbeat that starts from the lower part of the heart); and
- life-threatening premature ventricular beats (an abnormal heartbeat rhythm that starts from the lower part of the heart). This can happen during a heart attack, during an overdose of digitalis, or from other heart diseases.
How does Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP work?
Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP belongs to a group of medicines known as antiarrhythmic agents. It works by decreasing the rate at which your heart contracts.
What are the ingredients in Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP?
Medicinal ingredient: Lidocaine hydrochloride.
Non-medicinal ingredients: Sodium chloride, and may contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (pH adjusters).
Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP comes in the following dosage forms:
Solution: 20 mg/mL of lidocaine hydrochloride.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
If you are prescribed Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP, your healthcare professional will determine the right dose for you. They will prepare and give your injection of Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP:
If you notice any side effects after getting your injection, tell your healthcare professional. |
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Do not use Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP if:
- you are allergic to medicines known as amide local anaesthetics (medicines used for surgery or to manage short-term pain);
- you are allergic to lidocaine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients in Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP;
- you have Stokes-Adam’s Syndrome (sudden and periodic fainting or loss of consciousness caused by reduced heart blood flow by the heart);
- you have severe degrees of heart block (types of irregular heartbeat and rhythm);
- you have severe liver problems.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have heart problems;
- have liver problems;
- are over 70 years of age;
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Other warnings you should know about:
Taking Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP can cause:
- Heart problems: This includes changes to the electrical system of your heart or irregular heartbeats.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure).
See the Serious side effects and what to do about them table, below, for more information on these and other serious side effects.
Monitoring and testing: Your healthcare professional will closely monitor your health during your treatment. This may include conducting various tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests to monitor your heart and the profile of your blood. Your healthcare professional will interpret your results and may adjust your dose or stop your treatment with Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP.
Children (less than 18 years of age): Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP is not approved for use in children.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP:
- amiodarone, a medicine used to treat irregular hear beat;
- anticonvulsant drugs, medicines used to control fits or epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbitone, primidone, carbamazepine)
- beta-blockers, medicines used to treat high blood pressure (e.g., propranolol and metoprolol);
- cimetidine, a medicine used to treat heartburn and certain types of stomach ulcers;
- anaesthetics, medicines used for general anesthesia (e.g. nitrous oxide);
- other antiarrhythmic agents, medicines used to treat or prevent irregular heartbeats (e.g., phenytoin, procainamide, propranolol, or quinidine);
- muscle relaxants, medicines used to treat muscle spasms (e.g. suxamethonium);
- fentanyl, a medicine used to relieve pain;
alcohol.
How to take Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP:
Your healthcare professional will prepare the Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP syringe with your dose. They will give you Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP through your veins (i.e., “intravenously” or “IV”) by slow injection.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide the right dose of Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP for you. This will depend on your age, medical condition, and how you respond to Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP.
Overdose:
Your healthcare professional will monitor you for signs and symptoms of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, your healthcare professional will act accordingly to manage your side effects.
The symptoms of an overdose may include:
- sudden tingling and numbness on the skin
- numbness of the tongue
- light-headedness
- reduced tolerance to sound
- ringing in the ears
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
Not applicable.
What are possible side effects from using Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP?
Side effects will be monitored by a healthcare professional in a healthcare setting.
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
The side effects of Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP may include:
- blurred or double vision,
- cold or numbness,
- drowsiness,
- nervousness,
- ringing in the ears,
- twitching or shaking,
- unconsciousness,
- warm sensations.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| UNKNOWN FREQUENCY | |||
| Allergic reaction: difficulty swallowing or breathing, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up, hives, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. | X | ||
| Convulsion: seizure, spasms, shaking, or fits. | X | ||
| Heart problems: chest pain, chest discomfort, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat (rapid or slow), shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet, weakness, dizziness, palpitations, light-headedness, nausea, or fatigue. | X | ||
| Hypotension (low blood pressure): dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue (may occur when you go from lying or sitting to standing up). | X | ||
| Respiratory depression (also known as hypoventilation): slow, shallow or weak breathing, confusion, headaches, or blue lips, fingers, or toes. | X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP should be stored between 20°C and 25°C. Protect from freezing. Avoid excessive heat.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.pfizer.ca, or by calling 1-800-463-6001.