Lidoderm Patch

The Lidoderm patch is a prescription drug used to treat postherpetic neuralgia (pain that occurs after having a case of shingles). This medication works by inhibiting nerve impulses that pass along signals of pain to the brain. It comes in the form of a patch that is applied to the skin once daily. Potential side effects include redness or blistering of the skin.

What Is the Lidoderm Patch?

The Lidoderm® patch (lidocaine patch) is a prescription medication approved to treat postherpetic neuralgia, the nerve pain that can occur after a case of shingles.
 
(Click Lidoderm Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

The Lidoderm patch is made by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 

How Does the Lidoderm Patch Work?

The Lidoderm patch contains lidocaine, an anesthetic. It works by inhibiting the nerve impulses that pass along pain signals to the brain. At high enough doses, lidocaine can cause complete numbness. However, typically only enough lidocaine passes from the Lidoderm patch into the skin to cause pain relief, not complete loss of sensation.
 

Clinical Effects of the Lidoderm Patch

This medication has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical studies. These studies compared the Lidoderm patch to a placebo (a patch with no active ingredients). These studies demonstrated that the Lidoderm patch was significantly more effective than the placebo for relieving postherpetic neuralgia.
 
Lidoderm Patch Article Continues on Next Page >
List of references (click here)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles Health Topics Drugs & Supplements