Lidocaine works as a local anesthetic by reversibly closing sodium channels and blocking action potential transmission across nerve fibers. Sensory nerve fibers are blocked earlier than motor nerve fibers, so low doses of lidocaine can exert selective sensory block. Lidocaine can also inhibit Chemicalbook arrhythmia, which belongs to class B antiarrhythmic drugs. It can reduce ventricular rate, shorten action potential time and absolute refractory period, and prolong relative refractory period. Lidocaine acts quickly and for a short time. Adding epineph rine to lidocaine can reduce systemic absorption rate and thus prolong anesthesia time.

Synonym

2-(Diethylamino)-2',6'-acetoxylidide;2-(diethylamino)-2',6'-acetoxylidide;2-(diethylamino)-n-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-acetamid;2',6'-AcetoChemicalbookxylidide,2-(diethylamino)-;6'-acetoxylidide,2-(diethylamino)-2;Acetamide,2-(diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-;Ligoncaine;Maricaine.

Function

Lidocaine is indicated for acute ventricular arrhythmias caused by acute myocardial infarction, surgery, digitalis poisoning, and cardiac catheters, including premature ventricular beats, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Secondly, it is also used for epileptic persistence.

Application

Lidocaine is a first-line agent for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias caused by acute and severe hemodynamic abnormalities. It is also effective for some supraventricular arrhythmias, such as bypass-mediated supraventricular tachycardia and cardioversion of acute or parasympathetic atrial fibrillation. It is widely used for mucosal surface anesthesia (e.g., before endotracheal intubation). EMLA cream is used for skin surface anesthesia before intravenous intubation. To ensure the anesthetic effect, it should be applied to the skin for 45 to 60 minutes and wrapped with an airtight dressing to promote absorption. EMLA is useful for intravenous cannulation in rabbit ears and in young dogs and cats.