Lidoderm is a prescription transdermal patch that contains 5 percent lidocaine. It is approved for use in treating pain caused by post-herpetic neuralgia, or shingles. Lidocaine is an anesthetic. The amount of lidocaine released from the Lidoderm patch is enough to relieve pain, but not enough to completely numb the skin.
Step 1
Evaluate the size of the pain area in comparison to the size of the patch. If the area of pain is smaller than the size of the patch, use a pair of scissors to cut the patch to a suitable size.
Step 2
Peel off the protective cover from the back of the patch to expose the adhesive. Discard the protective cover in a trashcan that is out of reach from children and pets.
Step 3
Place the adhesive side of the patch directly onto the skin in the area of pain. Put your hand on top of the patch and apply gentle pressure for 10 seconds to secure the patch into place.
Step 4
Apply up to two more patches if necessary to fully cover painful areas. A maximum of three patches can be worn at a time.
Step 5
Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any lidocaine that may have gotten on your hands.
Step 6
Remove the patch from your skin once pain relief is achieved or after 12 hours. Lidoderm patches can be worn for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Fold the removed patch in half so that the adhesive is no longer exposed, and discard the patch in a trashcan that is out of reach from children and pets.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
References
- Endo Pharmaceuticals--Lidoderm
- 2009 Physicians' Desk Reference; Thomson Reuters; 2009
