lidocaine hydrochloride /lī″dəkān/ , a local anesthetic agent. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed as a local anesthetic for topical administration or local injection into skin or mucous membranes. It is used parenterally as an antiarrhythmic agent to increase the threshold of electrical stimulation in the ventricles during diastole. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its topical use. Adam-Stokes syndrome heart block or known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its systemic use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the more serious adverse effects of the systemic administration of the drug are central nervous system disturbances, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest. A variety of hypersensitivity reactions may occur from topical administration of this drug. Eating and drinking are avoided for 1 hour after topical application of this drug to the pharynx or the esophagus.
