Lidoderm (Lidocaine) for Chronic Pain

Overview
Lidoderm is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat postherpetic neuralgia. Lidoderm is also known by its drug name, Lidocaine. Lidocaine is also sold under the brand name Mylan.

Lidoderm is topical analgesic (painkiller). Lidoderm is believed to work by blocking nerve signals.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lidoderm is applied for up to 12 hours within a 24-hour period.

Lidoderm comes as a transdermal patch.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Lidoderm lists common side effects including skin reactions at the application site include redness, itching, rash, and blisters.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Lidoderm include severe allergic and hypersensitivity reactions.