Xylocaine

Xylocaine is a prescription medication that is used topically and orally to prevent pain before procedures or to relieve pain due to certain conditions. Xylocaine in an injectable form can also be used to help treat arrythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Xylocaine belongs to a group of drugs called local anesthetics. These stop nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. 

This medication comes as a topical solution, oral solution, and an injectable form. The injectable form is to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional. 

A common side effect of topical Xylocaine is irritation at site of application.

Common side effects of injectable Xylocaine include confusion, nervousness, and numbness. Xylocaine may also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. 

Topical:

Xylocaine is a prescription medication used to prevent pain before procedures or to relieve pain due to certain conditions.  Xylocaine jelly and solution can be used to prevent and control pain during procedures, such as intubation and eye surgery, and relieve pain due to conditions such as inflammation of the urethra and sore throat. 

Injectable:

Injectable Xylocaine is used as an anesthetic during surgical procedures or to treat arrhythmias. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Astrazeneca

Serious side effects have been reported with Xylocaine. See the “Xylocaine Precautions” section.

Topical:

Common side effects of topical Xylocaine include:

• irritation at site of application
• including burning
• blisters
• bruising
• redness
• swelling at the site of application

The oral solution may also cause vomiting, seizures, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeat. 

Injectable:

Common side effects of injectable Xylocaine include:

• confusion
• nervousness
• numbness
• blurred vision
• irregular heartbeat
• vomiting
• seizures
• ringing in the ears
• headache
• shivering
• dizziness
• drowsiness

This is not a complete list of Xylocaine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• disopyramide (Norpace)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• medications applied to the skin or mouth to treat pain
• mexiletine (Mexitil)
• moricizine (Ethmozine)
• procainamide (Procanabid, Pronestyl)
• propafenone (Rhythmol)
• quinidine (Quinidex)
• tocainide (Tonocard)

This is not a complete list of Xylocaine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Xylocaine including the following:

Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction.

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Hives or skin rash

CNS Effects: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Nervousness
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensations of heat
• Cold or numbness
• Twitching
• Tremors
• Seizures or convulsions
• Changes in respiration

Xylocaine may also affect the cardiovascular system, including changes in heartbeat, decreased blood pressure, and cardiac arrest.

Do not take Xylocaine if you:

• are allergic to Xylocaine or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to other local anesthetics, including bupivacaine (Marcaine), etidocaine (Duranest), mepivacaine (Carbocaine, Prolocaine), or prilocaine (Citanest)

Additionally, do not take injectable Xylocaine if you:

• have Stokes-Adams syndrome or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• have sinoatrial, atrioventricular, or intraventricular block

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Xylocaine, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Xylocaine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Xylocaine or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to other local anesthetics, including bupivacaine (Marcaine), etidocaine (Duranest), mepivacaine (Carbocaine, Prolocaine), or prilocaine (Citanest)
• have Stokes-Adams syndrome or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• have sinoatrial, atrioventricular, or intraventricular block
• have or have had liver disease
• are having surgery, including dental surgery
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Xylocaine falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Xylocaine. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Xylocaine crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Xylocaine.

Use Xylocaine exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in several forms. The dose and frequency of use of Xylocaine will depend on the condition being treated.

• Do not use topical forms of Xylocaine on broken or blistered skin.
• Do not swallow the oral solution of Xylocaine. Swish and/or gargle in your mouth and/or throat and spit out the solution.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Xylocaine at the same time.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The dose and frequency of use of Xylocaine will depend on the condition being treated or the procedure you will undergo.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

If you take too much Xylocaine, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Xylocaine is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.