Viscous lidocaine is used to relieve pain and discomfort from a sore throat/mouth. It is also used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain medical/dental procedures (e.g., dental impressions). This numbing helps prevent the urge to close the throat (gag reflex), which might make the procedure more difficult. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic that starts to numb the area minutes after application.

Shake the bottle well before measuring each dose carefully. Use a special measuring spoon or device to measure your dose. Do not use a household spoon since you may get an incorrect dose.

Do not mix with other liquid or food unless directed by your doctor. For mouth pain, swish the prescribed amount in your mouth and spit out. Do not swallow the medication. Viscous lidocaine is usually used as needed when you have pain or soreness, but do not use it more often than every 3 hours or as directed by your doctor. The usual maximum dose for an adult is 15 milliliters for each dose and no more than 8 doses in 24 hours.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Be very careful to measure the dose carefully, especially if you are using this medication in a child. Accidental overdose has occurred in children when the dose was not correct. Dosage in children may also be based on age and weight and is less than the adult dose.

For infants and children younger than 3 years, carefully measure the prescribed dose and apply to the area to be treated with a cotton swab.

To treat a sore throat, gargle with the medication, then swallow it to numb the throat, or spit out, as directed by your doctor.

This medication numbs the nose and throat. This will make swallowing difficult and increase your risk of choking or swallowing the wrong way. Do not eat or chew gum for 1 hour after using this product or until your mouth/throat is no longer numb. It is especially important to make sure children do not eat or chew gum for at least 1 hour after use. Be careful not to accidentally bite your tongue or mouth.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully, and do not increase your dose or use this more often than prescribed without your doctor's approval. Using too much product or using it too often can increase the risk of very serious side effects.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Mild nausea, stinging, and burning may occur. Dizziness and drowsiness may also occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., severe drowsiness, confusion, nervousness), seizures, fainting, vision changes (e.g., double or blurred vision).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using lidocaine, tell your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anesthetics (e.g., bupivacaine, prilocaine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as PABA), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your dentist, doctor, or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bites/cuts/scrapes/sores in your mouth or throat, heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat), severe infection with high fever (e.g., sepsis), liver disease.

Lidocaine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using lidocaine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using lidocaine safely.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially heart effects such as QT prolongation (see above).

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness and drowsiness.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

Many drugs besides lidocaine may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), among others. Therefore, before using lidocaine, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/drowsiness, seizures, slow/irregular heartbeat.

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

Not applicable.

Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.