Lidocaine 5% Ointment (15g)

What is Lidocaine 5% ointment?

Lidocaine 5% ointment is a topical medicine that is used to numb the skin. It is prescribed in the treatment of a number of conditions, including the likes of eczema, insect bites and mild burns to the skin's surface.

To buy Lidocaine 5% ointment, you must have been prescribed it by a doctor. However, lidocaine is also contained in over the counter creams that can be bought from pharmacies

What is Lidocaine ointment used to treat?

Lidocaine is used to provide pain relief from a number of conditions. It can be used for problems like eczema and insect bites but is also prescribed for genital herpes.

It is often prescribed for genital herpes and will get to work very quickly in just a couple of minutes and can also provide relief for a number of hours.

Using Lidocaine will provide fast-acting relief from pain, meaning you can get on with your day without discomfort.

Why is Lidocaine ointment recommended for treating genital herpes?

Lidocaine has been used in clinical trials and found to provide effective pain relief from herpes. 

If you are prescribed this medicine for genital herpes, it should be applied directly to the affected area and will get to work in just two minutes.

Furthermore, the numbing effects of Lidocaine will last for several hours, allowing you to deal with the pain and discomfort caused by this problem.

How does Lidocaine work?

Lidocaine is an anaesthetic medicine. It works by impairing the nerves' function to transmit pain sensations to your brain. Impairing this function numbs the affected area. This helps to lessen the pain that comes with conditions like eczema, genital herpes and burns. At the same time, the cream can help to soothe the skin's soreness, providing pain relief.

Who can use Lidocaine?

Lidocaine 5% is an effective anaesthetic treatment, but it is not suitable for everyone to use.

Do not use Lidocaine 5% ointment if:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in this medicine, or any other amide-type local anaesthetics
• You or your child has porphyria, methaemoglobinaemia or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• The affected area has cuts, rashes, eczema, bleeding and scabs, or the skin feels sore

Make sure you tell your doctor before using Lidocaine 5% ointment if you have (or have a history of) any liver, kidney or heart problems. In some cases, Lidocaine may interact with medicines you are already using.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Lidocaine.

This information is not exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for full details on precautions.

Can you buy Lidocaine over the counter?

Lidocaine is a prescription medicine, but it can be bought from pharmacies if you are due to have a cosmetic procedure that involves a needle.

Can you buy Lidocaine online in the UK?

Yes, you can buy Lidocaine ointment online in the UK. To order Lidocaine from Medicine Direct, all you need to do is complete a simple online consultation, which involves answering some questions about your condition and medical history. These answers will be reviewed by one of our registered prescribers to make sure Lidocaine is suitable for you.

Do not buy medicine online from anywhere other than regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct. You can view the official medical authorities we are regulated by on our About Us page. These regulatory bodies ensure we sell nothing but genuine, approved and safe medicine from our online pharmacy.

Lidocaine alternatives

Aciclovir 5% Cream is also available to buy from Medicine Direct to treat genital herpes. This treatment works to reduce the severity and length of the problem when applied during the early stages of an outbreak.

Oral prescription medicines such as Aciclovir and Valaciclovir tablets can also be bought from Medicine Direct. These medicines will work to fight the infection that causes herpes.

Lidocaine 5% Ointment Dosage and Directions 

Our pharmacists follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Lidocaine ointment.

As a treatment for genital herpes where blisters are present on the skin, men can apply Lidocaine around the scrotum and penis; women can apply it around the vagina.

The numbing effects of Lidocaine will normally last for around four hours. If you are a man with blisters around the head of the penis, a small amount of the ointment can be applied a few minutes before urinating, as urinating can be painful.

Do not apply Lidocaine internally. To avoid numbing your fingers, Lidocaine ointment should be applied while wearing gloves.

1. Gently wash and dry the affected area before applying the ointment.
2. Spread 1-2ml of ointment onto the affected area, but do not rub it into the skin completely. You may notice a tingling or stinging sensation upon first applying Lidocaine, but this should subside after a few minutes and you should start to feel better.
3. Repeat when required, but do not apply more than one-third of the tube in 24 hours.
4. Wash your hands with soap and hot water after each application.

Always follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions. Read the patient information leaflet before you start using Lidocaine for full instructions.

Lidocaine Side Effects

Like all medicines, Lidocaine 5% ointment comes with the risk of side effects, although not everybody will get them. Some people might only experience mild adverse effects, while many people will experience no adverse reactions at all.

Common side effects of this medicine might affect 1 in 10 users and can include:

• Itching or tingling sensation at the site of application
• Pale skin with red spots or mild swelling at the site the ointment was applied

How to cope with side effects

If you suffer itching or tingling and it becomes unbearable, take the cream off and speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you get pale skin with red spots or mild swelling, you should also take the cream off. These symptoms should disappear once this has happened, but if you still have them after 24 hours, speak to your doctor.

Read the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.

Lidocaine Warnings

Cautions with other medicines

Before using Lidocaine, you need to inform your doctor of any other prescription or non-prescription medicine you are using, including herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.

Lidocaine may affect how other medicines work, but if you have applied it correctly, it should not interact with any other medication you are using. Interactions are more likely to occur if you use Lidocaine in high doses or are having lidocaine injections.

Inform your doctor if you have porphyria, methaemoglobinaemia or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The medicines used to treat these conditions might interact with Lidocaine.

Always read the patient information leaflet for a full list of warnings and drug interactions. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is generally considered safe to use Lidocaine 5% when pregnant or breastfeeding. However, please make sure your doctor is aware if:

• You are pregnant
• You are breastfeeding
• You are trying to get pregnant
• You think you might be pregnant

Lidocaine 5% Ointment Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Lidocaine hydrochloride and Phenylephrine hydrochloride

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Lidocaine Ointment online in the UK?