Lidocaine

Lidocaine is used as a local anesthetic for seductive anesthesia of medium duration, or as antiarrhythmic drug. Its chemical composition includes amino-amides.

Use
Lidocaine is used as a local anesthetic mainly in dentistry in the form of a 2% hydrochloride solution. It has a vasodilating effect. As a surface anesthetic, it acts on the mucous membrane (it is combined with prilocaine to numb the skin) In dentistry, a form with the addition of adrenaline, is used, which slows absorption and reduces tissue blood flow (vasoconstrictiion). Also for surgical procedures on soft tissues (periodontology, excision, decapsulation,...). It can also be used as antiarrhytmic the second choice in the therapy of ventricular extrasystoles (1st choice is amiodarone), antiepilepticum, in the treatment of migraine cephalgia (intranasally) and for the test of liver tissue function.

Metabolism
Lidocaine is metabolized in the liver by microsomal oxidase to monoethylglycine xylidide (MEGX). It is excreted by the kidneys: 10% unchanged, 80% metabolites.

Contraindication
Contraindications include
 * hypersensitivity to the substance;
 * liver or kidney failure in severe stages;
 * do not administer solutions with adrenaline to high-risk patients (cardia, cocaine abuse...).

Related articles

 * Antiarrhythmic drug (ventricular arrhythmias)