Epinephrine/Lidocaine, Injection ep-i-NEF-rin LY-doh-kane

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anesthetic

Generic and brand names: epinephrine/lidocaine hydrochloride, injection; Lignospan Forte; Lignospan Standard; Octocaine; Xylocaine Dental with Epinephrine; Xylocaine with Epinephrine Dental Cartridges; Xylocaine HCl with Epinephrine; Xylocaine MPF with Epinephrine

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to numb an area before some surgical and dental procedures. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to sulfites (a preservative)
• a blood disorder such as methemoglobinemia or G6PD
• asthma
• glaucoma
• heart disease or peripheral vascular disease
• heart rhythm problems
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• thyroid problems

Females of childbearing age: Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The injection may be given by a healthcare provider or dentist.

What should I watch out for?

Be careful to avoid injury until the anesthetic wears off. If you received an injection of this medicine in your mouth, do not chew gum or food until the numbness has worn off. Be careful not to bite your tongue or the inside of your mouth while it is numb.

If you notice new joint pain, stiffness, or loss of motion in any joint a few months after your procedure, contact your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat.)

Serious (report this to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; seizures; irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat; severe dizziness or fainting; tremors; severe confusion; ringing in the ears; bluish lips or fingernails; increased restlessness or nervousness; blurred vision; increasing drowsiness.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, headache, mild rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antinausea medicines such as droperidol (Inapsine), prochlorperazine, and promethazine (Phenergan)
• antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• entacapone (Comtan, Stalevo)
• ergot medicines such as dihydroergotamine (DHE), ergotamine (Cafergot, Ergomar), and methylergonovine (Methergine)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• St. John's wort
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.