Pain Service - Lidocaine Intravenous Infusion

What is a Lidocaine Intravenous Infusion?

A Lidocaine infusion is when local anaesthetic is given by a pump, over approximately 60 minutes, into a vein.

It is prescribed to patients who have widespread chronic pain. Although it is not specifically licensed for use in this way it is known to have beneficial results.

How does it work?

It works by decreasing both spontaneous nerve activity and the spread of pain signals in nerve fibres. In other words it quietens the misbehaving nerves, thereby reducing the pain.

What does the infusion involve?

This treatment requires you to attend day surgery for a morning or afternoon session where you will meet your doctor.

You will stay on the ward for the whole session. During the infusion you will be monitored using a heart monitor and your blood pressure, pulse and breathing will be recorded regularly throughout the session. You will be allowed home when we are confident you have not suffered any significant side effects.

The treatment works over many days so you will not know how effective it has been in the day. You will be followed up by a pain specialist to assess how beneficial the treatment has been and if you want it repeating.

What are the side effects of a Lidocaine infusion?

Fortunately serious side effects or complications are very rare and by being continuously monitored, the chances of problems arising are minimised. However, even at the recommended dose, side effects can occur. These include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Tingling or numbness around your mouth
• Metallic taste
• Garbled speech
• Tunnel vision
• Ringing in your ears or a tremor
• A sense of being drunk
• Nausea

If any of these side effects do occur, they usually disappear once the infusion is slowed down or stopped.

Recognised potential complications of Lidocaine infusions include:

• Low or high blood pressure
• A slow or fast pulse rate
• Irregular heartbeats,
• Fainting
• Seizures
• Allergic reactions to Lidocaine which, in extremely rare cases, can lead to death

Benefits

If this treatment helps then you may find a decrease in pain from severe to a more manageable level.

You may be able to decrease the amount of painkillers you regularly consume and you might be able to do more.

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee you will benefit from this particular treatment.

Alternatives

Your pain specialist will have discussed alternatives with you during your consultation. Options might have included different medicines, injections or physical therapies.

However, as every patient is unique, specific alternatives cannot be given on an information leaflet like this as not all treatments are suitable for everyone.

Is there anything I should or should not do?

• You must not eat or drink for 6 hours before the procedure
• It is very important for you to tell us if you have had recent heart, liver or kidney problems, irregular heartbeats, abnormal ECG, seizure disorders or reactions to local anaesthetic. Also, if you are pregnant, it is not recommended that you have this procedure
• You need to arrange for someone to take you home on the day of your treatment. Do not drive on the day of the procedure. You can usually begin normal activities the following day
• Take all your medications as usual
• Keep your follow-up appointment and a pain log over the days and weeks following the procedure as this is the only way we will know if your infusion has worked. Your pain specialist will decide on the frequency of the infusions you receive based on the amount of pain relief that you get
• If you experience no pain relief, don’t be discouraged. Talk with the pain team for other alternatives

Contact Details

Fairfield General Hospital
Day Surgery - 0161 778 2503
Pain Secretary - 0161 778 3821

Rochdale Infirmary
Day Surgery - 01706 517132/517133
Pain Secretary - 01706 517705