This leaflet is for adults who have been prescribed lidocaine patches during their admission to Cambridge University Hospitals.
It aims to explain the reasons lidocaine patches are used and for how long, as this may differ from the information found on the product information from the manufacturer.
Further information, including that on how to apply the patch and side effects, may be found in the product Patient Information Leaflet (opens in a new tab) provided with your patches.
What is lidocaine?
Lidocaine is a type of painkiller. It is available as a patch that can be applied to the skin. It can help reduce pain in and around the area the patch is applied.
In the United Kingdom lidocaine patches are approved for the treatment of the pain some people experience after having shingles.
However in Cambridge University Hospitals they are also used to manage other types of pain in people for whom other types of painkiller would be unsuitable eg anti-inflammatories or morphine type drugs.
The other types of pain that we may use lidocaine patches for include:
- Pain from a broken bone
- Pain experienced after a fall.
How long are lidocaine patches used for?
Most patients recover from the pain associated with these injuries within a short period of time and for this reason lidocaine patches will only be prescribed for up to 10 days after your injury. The aim is to support you to get up and about and recover from your injury more quickly by controlling your pain.
Who can prescribe lidocaine patches?
Lidocaine patches will be initiated by a specialist from the Pain Team in the hospital or by your consultant.
As it is expected that you will only need lidocaine patches for a short period of time, up to 10 days, your GP will not routinely continue to prescribe these for you.
Further information
Further information about your medication can be found in the patient information leaflet found in the box or on the container.
If you have any other questions about your medication, please contact the medicines helpline on 01223 217502.
We are smoke-free
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the hospital campus. For advice and support in quitting, contact your GP or the free NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 169 0 169.
Other formats
Help accessing this information in other formats is available. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our patient information help page (see link below) or telephone 01223 256998. www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/accessible-information/
Contact us
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Telephone +44 (0)1223 245151
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/contact-us/contact-enquiries/