Lidocaine (lignocaine)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Xylocaine Special Adhesive. It does not contain all the information that is known about Xylocaine Special Adhesive.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, pharmacist or dentist.
All medicines have risks and benefits.
If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or dentist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What XYLOCAINE SPECIAL ADHESIVE is for
Xylocaine Special Adhesive is used in dentistry to prevent pain during scaling or injection and when fitting dentures.
Xylocaine Special Adhesive is also used to relieve pain during the removal of baby teeth.
Xylocaine Special Adhesive belongs to a group of medicines called local anaesthetics. It works by making nerves unable to pass messages to the brain.
Your doctor or dentist will have explained why you are being given Xylocaine Special Adhesive and told you what dose to use.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or dentist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
A health professional may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.
Xylocaine Special Adhesive is not addictive.
Before you use XYLOCAINE SPECIAL ADHESIVE
When you must not use it
Do not use Xylocaine Special Adhesive if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor or dentist says so. Ask them about the risks and benefits involved. Lidocaine (lignocaine) has been used widely during pregnancy and there have been no reports of any ill effects on the baby.
Your baby can take in very small amounts of Xylocaine Special Adhesive from breast milk if you are breastfeeding, but it is unlikely that the amount available to the baby will do any harm.
Do not use after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.
Do not use Xylocaine Special Adhesive if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or dentist tells you to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Before you start to use it
You must tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if:
- you have any allergies to
- other local anaesthetics e.g. bupivacaine
- any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- any other substances
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hayfever, difficulty breathing or feel faint.
- you have any of these medical conditions
- open wounds or infection in the mouth
- epilepsy
- heart, liver or kidney problems
It may not be safe for you to use Xylocaine Special Adhesive if you have any of these conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or dentist if you are taking any other medicines, including
- medicines to treat irregular heartbeats.
- cimetidine
- phenytoin and other anti-epileptic drugs such as phenobarbitone, primidone and carbamazepine
- medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.
These medicines may affect the way Xylocaine Special Adhesive works.
Your doctor or dentist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you use Xylocaine Special Adhesive.
Using XYLOCAINE SPECIAL ADHESIVE
How much to use
Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist will tell you how much ointment you should use. The dose depends on the size of the area and should be applied in a thin layer for adequate control of symptoms.
For adults, the maximum single dose is 2.5g. This is roughly equivalent to squeezing a 7.5cm length of ointment from the tube.
Do not use more than 8.5-10g of ointment in any 24 hour period.
For children less than 12 years, do not use more than 0.5g ointment/kg bodyweight as a single dose. Do not apply more than three doses during any 24 hours.
Ask your doctor or dentist if you are unsure about the amount of Xylocaine Special Adhesive to use.
Overdose
Telephone your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to casualty at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much Xylocaine Special Adhesive even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you accidentally swallow Xylocaine Special Adhesive it is unlikely to cause any problems due to the small amount of lidocaine (lignocaine) it contains.
However, you may have a numb tongue and throat. This will wear off without treatment.
Do not eat or drink anything until your tongue feels normal again.
If you use too much Xylocaine Special Adhesive you will probably feel nervous and dizzy, and develop blurred vision and tremor.
While you are using it
Things you must do
See your doctor or dentist if pain and discomfort continue.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Xylocaine Special Adhesive affects you. It may have a very mild effect on alertness and co-ordination. You may become drowsy and your reflexes may be slow.
Things you must not do
Do not eat or drink anything for at least 1 hour after using Xylocaine Special Adhesive in the mouth or throat area. You may swallow your food down the wrong way, or burn or bite your mouth.
Do not use Xylocaine Special Adhesive on open wounds or infected areas.
Do not get Xylocaine Special Adhesive in your eyes. If any of the ointment does go in your eye, rinse immediately with lots of water for at least 15 minutes and call your doctor.
Please talk to your doctor, pharmacist or dentist about these possibilities if you think they may bother you.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Xylocaine Special Adhesive.
Xylocaine Special Adhesive will help relieve pain and discomfort in most people, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor, pharmacist or dentist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if you notice the following and it worries you:
- skin rash or irritation
- lightheadness, dizziness, nervousness
- blurred vision
- drowsiness
These are all side effects of Xylocaine Special Adhesive.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- severe rash or itching
- increased sweating
These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.
Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Some people may get other side effects while using Xylocaine Special Adhesive.
After using it
Storage
Keep your Xylocaine Special Adhesive ointment in a cool place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days.
Disposal
Ask your pharmacist what to do with any ointment you have left over if your doctor or dentist tells you to stop using it, or you find that the expiry date has passed.
Product description
What Xylocaine Special Adhesive looks like
Xylocaine Special Adhesive is a white to slightly yellow ointment.
Ingredients
Each gram of ointment contains 100 mg lidocaine (lignocaine) base as the active ingredients;
plus,
Spearmint Oil
Carmellose
Propylene Glycol
Macrogol 300
Macrogol 400
Macrogol 1500
Lidocaine is known as lignocaine.
Sponsor
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
This leaflet was revised in Feb 2018
Australian Registration Number Xylocaine Special Adhesive 12006
® = Trade Marks herein are the property of the AstraZeneca Group
Published by MIMS May 2019