Lidocaine IV infusion to treat pain

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic used to numb a particular area. Infusion means it is a fluid.

For this treatment, we give you lidocaine into a vein (intravenously) using an automated pump. A small tube (cannula) will be put into your arm or the back of your hand, to give you the medicine.

Lidocaine is prescribed for some people who have:

• widespread, long-term (chronic) pain
• persistent (refractory neuropathic) pain
• short and painful (cluster) headaches

How lidocaine works

It works by lowering nerve activity, reducing inflammation (swelling), and adapting nerve signals. This means that it calms down the nerves, which reduces the pain.

Benefits of this treatment

You might find a decrease in pain, from severe to a more manageable level. You might be able to reduce the amount of painkillers you regularly take, and you might be able to do more activities. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will benefit from this treatment.

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Side effects of a lidocaine infusion

Serious side effects or complications are very rare. We monitor you throughout the treatment to reduce the risk of any problems. However, even when we give you the correct amount (dose), side effects can happen. These include:

• dizziness
• headaches
• sleepiness
• tingling or numbness around your mouth
• metallic taste
• garbled speech
• tunnel vision
• ringing in your ears
• a tremor (shaking or trembling you cannot control)
• a feeling of being drunk or sick (nauseous)

If you have any of these side effects, they usually disappear when the infusion is slowed down or stopped.

Possible complications of lidocaine infusions include:

• low or high blood pressure
• a slow or fast pulse rate
• irregular heartbeat
• fainting
• seizures or fits
• allergic reactions

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