Lidocaine, Injection LY-doh-kane

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiarrhythmic (treats irregular heartbeat)

Generic and brand names: lidocaine, injection; lidocaine, infusion; Xylocaine

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) or IV infusion to treat an irregular heartbeat. It is usually given in an emergency. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

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

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a blood disorder such as G6PD
• heart disease or heart problems other than irregular heartbeat
• kidney or liver problems

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

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider as an IV injection (a shot into a vein). You will be monitored closely while receiving this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, or double vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

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 are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; rash; itching; tightness in your chest; trouble breathing; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat.)

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Dizziness or lightheadedness; confusion; ringing in your ears; hot, cold, or prickly sensations; blurred or double vision; twitching; tremors; seizures; slow heartbeat; fainting; vomiting; increasing nervousness or drowsiness; trouble breathing.

Other: Tenderness, pain, or redness where the shot was given; nausea.

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:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, rifampin (Rifadin), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), nefazodone, and paroxetine (Paxil)
• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (VFEND)
• anti-HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine, clozapine (Clozaril), fluphenazine, olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine, pimozide (Orap), prochlorperazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and timolol
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• conivaptan (Vaprisol)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• other medicines to treat irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR), dofetilide (Tikosyn), flecainide (Tambocor), mexiletine, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol (Betapace), and tocainide (Tonocard)
• St. John’s wort
• theophylline

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.