Lidocaine, also known as lignocaine or its tradename Xylocaine, is a very commonly used amino amide local anaesthetic in interventional radiology. It also has a wide range of medical applications. In practice, it is found in concentrations of 1%, 2% or as a combination with adrenaline.
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Medical uses
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local anaesthetic
rapid onset of action with intermediate duration of action
infiltration, surface anaesthesia or nerve blocks
transdermal patch (used in shingles)
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antiarrhythmic drug
class 1b
IV route of administration for ventricular arrhythmias
Mechanism of action
prolong inactivation of fast voltage-gated sodium channels in neurones which are responsible for action potential propagation thus limiting or ceasing action potential generation
in the heart, it raises the depolarisation threshold rendering the cardiomyocytes to less likely conduct or initiate early action potential generation in the treatment of arrhythmias
Pharmacokinetics
works within 4 minutes and lasts up to 3 hours
metabolised by the liver (CYP3A4 enzyme)
half life 90-120 minutes, can be prolonged in patients with hepatic impairment or heart failure
excreted in urine
History and etymology
First made and marketed under the name of Xylocaine by Nils Lofgren, a Swedish chemist in 1943. It has been available commercially since 1949.
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