CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Lignocaine Injection. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Lignocaine Injection against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital. If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
What Lignocaine Injection is used for
Lignocaine Injection belongs to two groups of medicines known as local anaesthetics and antiarrhythmic drugs. Local anaesthetics stop pain and feeling in the area around where it is injected; and antiarrhythmic drugs work by restoring irregular and/or rapid heart beats to normal.
Lignocaine Injection may be used for the management of other conditions that are not mentioned above. Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed Lignocaine Injection.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given Lignocaine Injection
When you must not be given it
Do not use Lignocaine Injection if:
you have an allergy to lignocaine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin.
you have an infection or swelling where the injection will be given
you have blood infections or disorders
you are in severe shock
you have low blood pressure
you have diseases of the brain and spinal cord
you have sudden frequent episodes of loss of consciousness
you have myasthenia gravis, a severe muscle weakness
you have certain heart problems
If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if:
1. you have any allergies to:
any other medicine
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
2. you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
3. you are breast-feeding or plan to breast feed
4. you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
liver and/or kidney problems
epilepsy
diseases of the brain and spinal cord
heart problems
severe fever
problems with your blood pressure or circulation
slow heart beat
low potassium level
breathing difficulties
low oxygen in blood
problems with the clotting of your blood
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and lignocaine may interfere with each other. These include:
anti-arrhythmics, medicines to control irregular heart beats, e.g. amiodarone
heart or blood pressure tablets, e.g. propanolol, metoprolol, atenolol
cimetidine, a medicine used to treat reflux and ulcers
medicines to control fits or epilepsy, e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, phenobarbitone
warfarin, a medicine used to stop blood clots
aspirin, salicylates or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), medicines to relieve pain and inflammation
some anaesthetics
some medicines that relax the skeletal muscles, e.g. suxamethonium
Your doctor will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while you are being given Lignocaine Injection. Your doctor will advise you about continuing to take other medicines while you are receiving Lignocaine Injection.
How Lignocaine Injection is given
Lignocaine Injection is given by injection into the skin, directly into the blood stream or into an organ. It must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive Lignocaine Injection.
If you are given too much (overdose)
This rarely happens as Lignocaine Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.
However, if you are given too much lignocaine, you may experience some of the effects listed under "Side Effects" below.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
While you are being given Lignocaine Injection
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery after you have been given Lignocaine Injection. You may be drowsy or your reflexes may be slow.
Do not drink alcohol while you are being given Lignocaine Injection. If you drink alcohol while you are being given Lignocaine Injection, your blood pressure may drop making you feel dizzy and faint.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given lignocaine.
Like other medicines, lignocaine can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following:
weakness, confusion, nervousness, agitation, drowsiness, disorientation or unconsciousness
nausea, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing
headache, dizziness or light-headedness especially if you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
ringing in the ears
slurred speech, sensations of heat and cold
numbness, tremors, twitching
slow heart beat, low blood pressure
breathing difficulties
blurred or double vision
These are the mild side effects of Lignocaine Injection.
Serious side effects of Lignocaine Injection include:
fits or convulsions
skin rash, hives or itching
unconsciousness
breathing problems
low blood pressure
slow heart beat
collapse
You may need urgent medical attention if you get these side effects.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.
Storage
Lignocaine Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
Product description
What it looks like
Lignocaine Injection is a clear, colourless solution in a polyethylene plastic ampoule.
Ingredients
Lignocaine Injection contains Lignocaine Hydrochloride 1% or 2% as the active ingredient and Sodium Chloride and Water for Injections as the excipients. It does not contain a preservative.
