We’ve compiled this complete guide for you to help you get a better picture of Xylocaine 5% Ointment, how to use it, its characteristics, side effects, uses, dosage, interactions, when not to use it, how to store it. Always double-check with your doctor before starting to use this anesthetic ointment.
1. What Is Xylocaine 5 % Ointment
Xylocaine 5% Ointment is a regional anesthetic cream or gel that has an effect of temporal pain relief. It takes the pain away by making numb a spot of the body on which you put it on. This anesthetic lubricant also helps get rid of itching, skin irritations, minor burns. In some cases, people use it for decreasing pain and unpleasant effects caused by hemorrhoids. This is basically the definition of Xylocaine ointment.
Xylocaine may come in various forms like gel, spray, injection, or ointment. Many people prefer Xylocaine 5% Ointment because it’s not painful like an injection and they can put it on the needed spot on their own.
Doctors use Xylocaine Ointment for various medical procedures when they need to insert catheters in the body for the patient. It’s highly recommended to check with your doctor whether it’s a good fit for you before you start using it.
The side effects that may come along with using Xylocaine 5% Ointment can be the following: burning, rash, itching, redness, etc. In most cases, these Xylocaine side effects pass away very quickly without any complications. Anyway, if you spot any side effect, inform your doctor immediately.
It’s always good to let your doctor know as many details as possible about your current state before you start using Xylocaine Ointment. For example, do you have any issues with the liver? Do you have heart rhythm issues? Do you take other medicines? Are you pregnant? Are you breastfeeding?
2. Overview
One of the benefits of Xylocaine 5% Ointment is that you can use this local anesthetic to numb a particular area of your body. It’s easier and more comfortable to use than injection.
Xylocaine 5% Ointment works pretty fast. This is a local anesthetic. It temporarily blocks the nerves and makes your skin numb in a particular spot. Put this cream on the spot with irritation that brings you pain and it will give you relief very fast.
Doctors use this anesthetic ointment when they are going to perform cystoscopy or proctoscopy. They put the cream on the tube to lubricate it and make the process of the tube insertion more smooth and less painful. On top of that, the cream has an anesthetic effect, which is also very good.
It rarely drives side effects if you don’t overdose it and use it in accordance with the instructions. As a rule, side effects are minor and don’t last long. In most cases, side effects pass away on their own. If they don’t disappear and remain, check with your doctor. Some of the most wide-spread side effects are:
- Irritation
- Redness
- Itching
- Allergic reaction
- Burning
Keep in mind that you should always use Xylocaine Ointment externally. Read the instructions on the label before you apply it to your skin. Make sure the spot you are going to put the cream on is dry and clean. Soon you won’t sense the pain as this ointment will block nerves and pain signals.
2.1 How Supplied
You may find Xylocaine Ointment supplied in tubes of various sizes from 15 to 35 gm. These tubes are very handy to carry, use, and store.
3. Uses of Xylocaine 5 % Ointment
What is Xylocaine Used for?
Xylocaine Ointment can be used in various ways. Here are some of the most common ways of how people can use it:
- for local anesthesia during performing various medical procedures that imply the insertion of needles, catheters, and other medical instruments.
- to decrease pain and uncomfortable feelings in particular areas of the body (itching, redness, irritation, burning, allergic reactions).
- to decrease discomfort and pain caused by hemorrhoids.
How is xylocaine ointment used and what do you need to take into account? You should always use Xylocaine 5% Ointment externally only. The main function of this anesthetic is to temporarily kill the pain and take away other unpleasant feelings and manifestations like burns, insect bites, scrapes, eczema) that can appear on the skin. It should be noted that only minor burns can be treated with Xylocaine 5% Ointment. If you have severe burns, it is recommended not to use it.
Sometimes it can be used to treat unpleasant conditions in the anal/genital area like vagina or rectum itching or anal fissures.
How to use Xylocaine 5 % Ointment
Are you going to use it for self-treat? If yes, read all the instructions very carefully. You can find them on the package of the ointment. If you have any doubts concerning the usage of this aesthetic, ask your doctor for consulting. If it has been prescribed by your doctor, follow all the given directions.
Keep in mind that you should always clean the skin before you apply the ointment to it. Also, make sure that the skin is dry. Slowly get the ointment out of the tube and put a thin layer to the needed spot. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times per day.
It’s not recommended to use Xylocaine 5 % Ointment on large spots of the skin. Avoid using waterproof bandages to cover the spot unless your doctor tells you to do so. Also, avoid heating the spot with the ointment as it can cause some grave side effects. After applying the cream to the affected area wash your hands properly.
3.1 Local anesthesia
Local anesthesia is one of the most popular Xylocaine uses. The anesthetists use lidocaine in a variety of ways on different patient populations. Doses can vary depending on the needs and current state of the patient. It is widely used to neutralize pain and take away discomfort during cystoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and other medical procedures. Xylocaine 5 % Ointment contains lidocaine that has an anesthetic effect and causes temporary numbness in certain areas of the skin.
3.2 Pain and irritation
People use Xylocaine 5% ointment for spinal anesthesia. This cream helps temporarily neutralize leg pain and pain in the lower back. It is used to decrease the incidence of transient neurological symptoms, a condition characterized by prolonged lower back and leg pain. After neuraxial administration of lidocaine for epidural anesthesia, a lower concentration with larger volume is indicated. It is used to block pain sensation. The ointment is also used to remove skin irritation, itching, and redness.
3.3 Hemorrhoids
Many people prefer to use Xylocaine 5 % ointment to neutralize hemorrhoids pain. The cream is also very effective when it comes to eliminating painful outcomes of hemorrhoids. These are anal fissures, itching, hemorrhoids piles, and swelling. If used correctly and in appropriate doses, it can help neutralize the pain and take away the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. It provides temporary relief from pain and discomfort. For more details, it’s always better to consult a doctor.
4. Dosage
Normally, you shouldn’t apply more than 5 g of Xylocaine 5 % Ointment in one application. The amount of lidocaine base in this dosage is 250 mg, which is equivalent to 300 mg of liquid lidocaine hydrochloride. To obtain this amount of ointment (250 mg of lidocaine base), you need to squeeze approximately a 6 inch length thin layer of cream out of the tube.
Mind that the dosage should be determined taking into account your current medical condition as well as your response to the received treatment. Never use more ointment than it is indicated by your doctor or stated in the directions on the package. Do not use the cream more often than needed. It is also a bad idea to keep using Xylocaine 5 % ointment longer than it is stated in the instructions.
If you notice any kind of sore or infection in the spot that you want to apply the ointment, you should consult with your doctor before using the treatment.
4.1 Missed Dose
If you miss a dose and you need to take regular treatment, take the missed dose at once when you recollect about it. If you recollect about a missed dose when it is almost the time to take the next dose, it is highly recommended to skip the dose that you’ve missed. Instead, take your next dose according to the schedule. Never double the dose.
4.2 Overdose
If you swallow or inhale Xylocaine 5% Ointment, it can be very harmful to your health.
If you overdose and observe grave symptoms like trouble breathing or passing out, you should call 911 at once. Alternatively, you can call at 1-800-222-1222, which is the number of a local poison control center for US residents. As for Canadian residents, they should call their local poison control center in their province. Here are some of the most common symptoms of abuse: irregular heartbeat, drowsiness, seizures.
You should Immediately call 911, your local poison control center, or your doctor if you overdose on the medication or swallowed Xylocaine by accident. You should make a call even if you think there is no poisoning or any discomfort. Lightheadedness and drowsiness are typical first signs of the overdose. Sometimes you can experience blurred vision as well. If it is a severe overdose, you can be trembling, experience seizures, or even lose your consciousness.
5. When not to Use?
If some of the components of Xylocaine 5% Ointment cause an allergy, you shouldn’t use it. Here is the list of scenarios when you should avoid using this ointment:
- if you are allergic to lignocaine, the active ingredient of Xylocaine 5% Ointment
- if you are allergic to similar topical anesthetics
- if you are allergic to any of its ingredients that are listed on the leaflet
- if you are pregnant
- if you are breastfeeding
- if you are taking other medicines (pills, herbal infusion, injections, etc.)
- if you’ve got eye/ear irritation
- if you’ve got severe burns and cuts
Allergy can result in the following symptoms:
- hives, itching or rash on the skin
- difficult breathing or wheezing
- breath shortness
- swelling that can occur on the lips, tongue, face, etc.
You should not apply Xylocaine 5% Ointment to treat any skin conditions in children that are under 2 years old.
Always check the expiry date that you can find on the pack. Don’t use the ointment if you notice the expiry date has elapsed. Don’t use Xylocaine 5% Ointment if you see the signs of any damage or tampering of the part of the packaging where the expiry date is printed. Instead, return the pack with the ointment to the pharmacist.
5.1 Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, generally it is not recommended to use the ointment. However, many women use it during pregnancy after they consult with a doctor and don’t report any severe side effects. So, it is always better to check with your doctor on the matter.
5.2 Breast-feeding
The same is fair for breast-feeding. It is not recommended to use Xylocaine 5 % Ointment during the breast-feeding period. Consult with the doctor for more details on this.
5.3 Other medicines
Always consult with a pharmacist or your private doctor before you make a decision to start using Xylocaine 5 % Ointment for treatment. Feel free to read more on this in the Interaction with medicine section below.
5.4 Eye/Ear irritation
Prevent the ointment from getting into the eyes, ears, or nose accidentally. If the cream gets into the ears, eyes, or nose, rinse the spot ASAP using clean water.
5.5 Irritation and redness
If you see that irritation and redness don’t disappear after you start using Xylocaine 5 % Ointment it is better to stop using it and check with your doctor.
5.6 Allergic reactions
Never you Xylocaine 5 % Ointment is you know you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Allergic reactions can cause a lot of unpleasant effects and conditions.
5.7 Severe burns and cuts
Never use Xylocaine 5 % Ointment to treat severe burns and cuts as the conditions may get even worse. The ointment is used for the treatment of minor burns only.
6. Interactions
You need to understand that Xylocaine 5% Ointment may interact with other medicines. It can interact with alcohol, food, and diseases. We’ll focus on each particular interaction in detail below.
All these interactions should be avoided. This is the best case scenario when all the interactions are avoided. This is because you will avoid severe side effects. It’s super important to have a detailed talk with your pharmacist or doctor and give them all the details on your current state, medicines you are taking, the history of diseases in your family, etc.
It is always a risky endeavor to buy and take medicines without the prior doctor’s approval. The thing is that all the interactions can change how the ointment works and result in unpleasant consequences for you.
Side Effects
Let your pharmacist or doctor know ASAP if you feel not well after using Xylocaine 5% Ointment. Typically, this ointment helps relieve discomfort and pain in most people. However, a few people can experience some undesired side effects after using it.
Indeed, all drugs may drive side effects. In some cases, they can be serious, while in most cases they are minor. You need to understand that medical treatment may be needed if you experience side effects.
Don’t be scared or pissed off due to the list of side effects that we are going to show you. In most cases, you are not going to have any of them.
Stop using this medicine and inform your doctor ASAP or call 911 if you experience any of these side effects:
- Blurred vision
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Unconsciousness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Low blood pressure
- Collapse
- Lightheadedness
- Fits
- Ringing in the ears
- Increased sweating
- Slow heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Severe itching or rash
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
This list contains rather severe side effects. If you experience them, hospitalization may be needed. However, the above-mentioned side effects are not common.
6.1 Interaction with Alcohol
It’s not recommended to drink alcohol when you are using Xylocaine 5% Ointment as it may result in the following unpleasant conditions:
- sweating
- low blood pressure
- rapid heartbeat and adrenaline rush
- irregular heart beat
- nausea
- vomiting
- feeling dizzy and even fainting
6.2 Interaction with Medicine
Before you start using the ointment, inform your doctor about all other medicines that you are taking now. Tell about medicines that you use without a prescription or that you get from a health food shop or supermarket.
This is because Xylocaine 5% Ointment interferes with certain medicines. These medicines are:
- mexiletine, amiodarone, or other medicines for treating irregular heart beat
- beta-blockers or antihypertensive medicines that lower blood pressure
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, primidone, or other medicines for treating epilepsy
- cimetidine for treating ulcers and reflux
Always double-check with your doctor on this topic before you start using Xylocaine 5% Ointment.
6.3 Disease interactions
This is very important. If you have any diseases, consult with your doctor before you start using the ointment.
Tell a pharmacist or doctor whether you have:
- liver issues
- kidney issues
- epilepsy
- heart issues
- infection or open wounds on the spots where you want to use the ointment
- malignant hyperthermia
- a family history of this condition, malignant hyperthermia
It can be not completely safe to use this ointment if you’ve got any of the above-mentioned conditions.
6.4 Food interactions
Once you use Xylocaine 5% Ointment in the throat or mouth area, you shouldn’t drink or eat anything for 1 hour minimum. This is because you don’t feel your mouth and you can bite it or burn it. Also, there is a possibility that you can swallow the food down not the right way.
7. Storage Xylocaine 5 % Ointment
Always store Xylocaine Ointment Viscous at room temperature. Make sure you store it away from moisture and light. Never freeze it. Keep it away from pets and kids. It is recommended to store the ointment at 10-30°C.
Never pour the ointment solutions into a drain. Never flush it down the toilet. If a shelf life of the medicine is expired and you want to get rid of it, consult with your pharmacist or doctor.
In general, you can store Xylocaine Ointment for 48 months at a temperature below. The shelf life: 48 months