INN monograph
Lidocaine
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Unsourced template; Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to the amide-type local anesthetics
- patients with Adams-Stokes syndrome or with severe degrees of SA, AV, or intraventricular heart block in the absence of an artificial pacemaker.
Precautions
- ECG monitoring is necessary during its IV administration
- liver disease, con- gestive heart failure, marked hypoxia, severe respiratory depression, hypovolemia, or shock
- administering lidocaine to patients with sinus bradycardia or incomplete heart block for the treatment of ventricular premature contractions without prior acceleration of heart rate
- fibrillation.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Local Anaesthesia: use the lowest dose needed to provide effective anaesthesia.Adults: the dose not greater than 200 mg. For spinal anaesthesia not greater than 100 mg. Children:the dose not more than 3mg/kg. Use in Cardiac Arrhythmias -Adults: 50 -100 mg IV at a rate of about 25-50 mg per minute. No more than 200 - 300 mg within 1 hr
Paediatric
Weight-based — use paediatric formulary / SmPC.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Serious side effects are uncommon.
- Drowsiness
- dizziness
- disorientation
- confusion
- lightheadedness
- psychosis
- apprehension
- tinnitus
- visual disturbances including amblyopia or diplopia
- vomiting
- paraesthesia
- sensations of heat, cold, or numbness
- difficulty swallowing
Use
Indications
- Local anaesthesia
- parenterally for the acute treatment of ventricular arrhythmias occurring after myocardial infarction or during cardiac procedures such as cardiac surgery or cardiac catheterization
- drug of choice for the treatment of ventricular premature contractions [VPCs] associated with myocardial infarction
- status epilepticus as a last resort.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts by stabilizing the membranes of the nerve cells by decreasing their permeability to sodium ions.
Full mechanism text
It acts by stabilizing the membranes of the nerve cells by decreasing their permeability to sodium ions. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carthijel lidocaine | Acino International AG | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| ULTRAFLEX TABS 20*S | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | — | 1,112.95 |
| XYLO-MEPHA | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Unsourced template; Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.