Medication guide
Lidocaine (4%)
- Generic name
- Lidocaine (4%)
- Common brand names
- Aspercreme with Lidocaine, Salonpas Lidocaine
- Medication class
- Topical local anesthetic
Overview
Its medication class is Topical local anesthetic. Common uses include Local temporary pain relief. Product forms and labels can differ, so follow the specific package instructions and ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about individual questions.
How to Take it
- Route
- Topical application to intact skin.
- Time of day
- Apply at symptom onset; often 2–4 times daily.
- With food/water
- No food involved; apply on clean, dry area after cleansing.
- Preparation
- Thin layer to affected skin only; avoid eyes, mouth, and open wounds.
- Safe dose
- Use smallest effective area and quantity.
- Max dose
- Stay within package coverage and frequency limits.
- Frequency
- As labeled, typically every 3–6 hours; avoid layering multiple analgesic topicals.
- Other recommendations
- Wash hands after use and avoid external heat/occlusive wraps unless instructed.
Common uses
- Local temporary pain relief
Common side effects
- Numbness
- tingling
- local burning or stinging
- skin irritation
- redness
- rash
- and dizziness
Important warnings
- Do not use on open wounds, broken skin, or near mucosa unless explicitly labeled. Remove before heat application. Do not exceed recommended area or combine with other local anesthetics. Avoid over-application on children and in patients with severe liver disease or known anesthetic hypersensitivity. Seek care for palpitations, confusion, seizures, or breathing changes.
General interactions information
Low systemic interactions; avoid multiple lidocaine-containing products.
Sources / references
- Aspercreme lidocaine cream — product label
DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
These references offer further reading. A source link does not establish that a clinician has reviewed every statement in this guide.
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