See Who Recommends LIDODERM

LIDODERM® has been trusted by healthcare professionals for more than a decade to treat after-shingles pain -- see why.

The American Academy of Neurology (subcommittee) recommends LIDODERM based on1:

  • Effective in reducing after-shingles pain
  • Level A, class I and II dataI
  • Good strength of clinical evidence from well-designed trials
  • Low level of side effects

The Fourth International Conference on the Mechanisms and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain recommends LIDODERM first-line based on2,II:

  • Consistently effective in randomized, controlled clinical trials
  • Excellent safety and tolerability
  • Statistically significant greater pain relief vs placebo
  • An adequate 2-week trial, no dosage adjustments necessary

Council members of the International Association for the Study of Pain (in an independent analysis) recommend LIDODERM based on3:

  • Effective in treating localized pain of after-shingles pain
  • Side effect profile (few side effects)
  • Design of clinical trials
  • Use alone or with other medications


Based on a review of the literature by Argoff et al,
Targeting various PHN mechanisms with multiple agents may result in better treatment outcomes4.

I Level A rating establishes a therapy as effective, ineffective, or harmful for the given condition in the specified population based on at least 1 convincing class I study or at least 2 consistent, convincing class II studies. Class II studies are prospective, matched-group, cohort studies in representative populations with masked outcome assessments that meet predefined criteria or randomized, controlled trials in representative populations that lack one of the predefined criteria.

II Endo Pharmaceuticals provided an unrestricted educational grant to the University of Rochester Office of Professional Education (Rochester, NY) to support a meeting on the treatment of neuropathic pain. All authors, except Dr Max, received an honorarium from the University of Rochester. Separate from this meeting, the following have received consulting or other financial support from Endo Pharmaceuticals: Drs Argoff, Bennett, Dworkin, Farrar, Galer, Loeser, Max, Rowbotham, Turk, and Wallace.

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Important Safety Information

LIDODERM® (lidocaine patch 5%) is used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia, also referred to as after-shingles pain. Apply only to intact skin with no blisters.

You should not use this product if you are sensitive to local anesthetics such as lidocaine, or to any of the other ingredients in LIDODERM.

Even a used LIDODERM patch contains a large amount of lidocaine. A small child or a pet could suffer serious adverse effects from chewing or swallowing a new or used LIDODERM patch. Store and dispose of patches out of the reach of children, pets and others. Never reuse a patch.

LIDODERM patches should be worn for no more than 12 hours a day. Applying the patches for a longer time or using more than 3 patches could cause serious reactions.

Fold used patches so that the adhesive side sticks to itself, and safely discard used patches or pieces of cut patches where children and pets cannot get to them.

Avoid the use of external heat sources, such as heating pads or electric blankets, as this has not been studied.

Avoid contact of LIDODERM with the eye. If contact occurs, immediately wash the eye with water or saline and protect it until sensation returns.

Be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you have liver disease, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medication for irregular heartbeat. For such people, LIDODERM should be used with caution.

Allergic reactions, though rare, can occur.

During or immediately after using LIDODERM, the skin around the patch may develop a change in color, colored spots, irritation, itching, flaking of the skin, rash, bruising, swelling, pimple-like raised skin, a cyst containing fluid, pain, burning, or abnormal sensation. These reactions are generally mild and go away on their own within a few minutes to hours. Other reactions may include dizziness, headache, and nausea. Tell your healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms while using LIDODERM.

Only your healthcare professional can determine if LIDODERM is right for you. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions when using LIDODERM.

Please see the LIDODERM important product information and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

References

  1. Dubinsky RM, Kabbani H, El-Chami Z, Boutwell C, Ali H. Practice parameter: treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. An evidence-based report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2004;63:959-965.
  2. Dworkin RH, Backonja M, Rowbotham MC et al. Advances in neuropathic pain: diagnosis, mechanisms, and treatment recommendations. Arch Neurol. 2003;60:1524-1534.
  3. Finnerup NB, Otto M, McQuay HJ, Jensen TS, Sindrup SH. Algorithm for neuropathic pain treatment: an evidence based proposal. Pain. 2005;118:289-305.
  4. Argoff CE. Targeted topical peripheral analgesics in the management of pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2003;7:34-38.