Talk to Your Doctor

You don’t have to suffer alone. Your healthcare professional knows what each treatment can do, and together you can decide if LIDODERM® (lidocaine patch 5%)—alone or with an oral medicine—is right for you.

Here are some tips for talking about your after-shingles pain with your healthcare professional:

  • If you are interested in LIDODERM, ask your healthcare professional if it’s right for you
  • If you feel like your life revolves around taking pills, let your healthcare professional know that you would like a “no-pill” treatment
  • If you are currently taking pain medicines for after-shingles pain, but not getting enough relief, ask your healthcare professional about switching to LIDODERM or adding LIDODERM to what you are already taking
  • If you are worried about drowsiness or side effects associated with pain medicines, tell your healthcare professional about your concerns
  • If you have to take medicine for other conditions, ask about possible drug interactions. LIDODERM can be taken with other pain medicines, and the risk of drug interactions is low
  • Be sure to describe the intensity of your pain and how it feels. The Pain Assessment Tool & Checklist (PATCh) can help you provide your healthcare professional with adjectives to describe your PHN pain
  • Take notes or record the frequency of your pain and variations on a daily basis. The Pain Management Calendar can help you track the intensity and duration of your PHN pain before, during and after your treatment
  • If you've been diagnosed with after-shingles pain (postherpetic neuralgia), no one needs to tell you that it hurts; but you and your healthcare professional—together—may be able to plan an escape
About the LIDODERM Patch
Print this Page     A A A
Questions for your Healthcare Professional
Assess Your Pain Level Using Our Pain Checklist
Learn about our Rebate Program
How to Apply the Patch
Using LIDODERM is as easy as 1-2-3
Learn More



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.