Lidocaine ®
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Reviewed on May 29, 2026. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935) Next review due on Mar 25, 2029.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on May 29, 2026.

Numbing ointment for minor skin conditions or procedures.

Lidocaine ointment is a topical anesthetic available as a 5% ointment for your skin. It’s licensed by the FDA to reduce discomfort from skin conditions and minor medical procedures.

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5%
$79.95 1 x 30g tube
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Lidocaine Lidocaine

What is Lidocaine Ointment?

Lidocaine ointment is a topical anesthetic. This means it numbs the area where it’s applied, helping to manage pain, discomfort, and itching. It can help with pain, itching, or discomfort from minor skin conditions (like minor burns, bites and rashes), hemorrhoids, or to numb an area of skin before minor medical procedures.

How does Lidocaine work?

Lidocaine works by blocking sodium channels in your nerves in the area you apply it.[1] This stops your nerves from generating and sending the signals that cause pain to your brain.[2] This should reduce any feelings of discomfort or pain you experience in the area where you apply it.

What doses of Lidocaine are there?

Prescription-strength Lidocaine Ointment is available in one dosage: a 5% ointment that you apply to your skin. This means it contains 50 mg of active ingredient per gram.

What is the active ingredient in Lidocaine?

Lidocaine ointment is named after its active ingredient: lidocaine. It’s a local anesthetic that blocks pain signals being sent from your nerves to your brain in the area lidocaine is applied to.

Treated trusted source:

  1. Beecham, G.B. Nassel, T.A. Goyal, A. (2024). Lidocaine. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
  2. NHS. (2022). Common questions about lidocaine skin cream. NHS UK.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 23938
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on March 25, 2026. Next review due on March 25, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Lidocaine Lidocaine

How to take Lidocaine

You should always follow the instructions from your prescriber when using Lidocaine.

To use Lidocaine Ointment 5%:

  • Clean the area where you’ll apply the ointment with mild soap and warm water, and rinse afterwards with plenty of water and dry with a towel or soft cloth before applying the ointment.
  • Squeeze 1g of ointment (approximately a two inch length) onto your hand for each 1×1 inch area you’re applying Lidocaine ointment to.
  • Don’t exceed 5g of Lidocaine in one application.
  • Apply the cream at least 30 minutes before the start of the procedure.
  • Apply Lidocaine in an even layer across the skin.
  • If you’ve been instructed to do so, cover the cream with a dressing (this stops it accidentally being rubbed off by clothing).
  • If you’re using it to numb your skin before a procedure, a little before the procedure starts, remove the dressing (if necessary) and the cream with a gauze swab.
  • Don’t leave the ointment on your skin for more than five hours.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 23938
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on March 25, 2026. Next review due on March 25, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Lidocaine Lidocaine

Lidocaine isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

Lidocaine Lidocaine

Lidocaine: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Are there any alternatives to Lidocaine?

Answer:
If Lidocaine alone hasn’t been effective for you, EMLA cream could be a good alternative. It combines lidocaine with a similar treatment called prilocaine. Prilocaine can take a little longer to take effect than lidocaine, but it penetrates deeper into the applied area. This means it can be more effective at numbing pain from things like injections or blood tests. But, because prilocaine can take a little longer to work, you usually have to apply an hour before the procedure.[1]

How effective is Lidocaine?

Answer:
Lidocaine has effectively managed pain in the area it’s applied in clinical trials. One small study compared the effectiveness of pain relief from minor procedures in areas treated with lidocaine with untreated areas. The study found that the mean patient and clinician pain scores were significantly lower for the areas that had been treated with topical lidocaine. But it did acknowledge that more thorough studies over a larger population are needed to confirm these results.[2]

Do I need a prescription for Lidocaine?

Answer:
You may be able to get some formulations of Lidocaine 5% Ointment over the counter, but for other formulations you’ll need a prescription.

How long does it take Lidocaine to work?

Answer:
Lidocaine usually gets to work within about 30 to 60 minutes of applying the treatment.[3] So, if you’re using Lidocaine to numb pain from a minor procedure, it’s usually recommended you use it at least 30 minutes before the procedure is due to start.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Lidocaine?

Answer:
If you forget to use Lidocaine before a procedure, speak to the healthcare professional carrying it out. They may want to delay the start of the procedure until Lidocaine has a chance to work. Don’t apply extra ointment or use more viscous solution than prescribed if you’ve forgotten a dose of Lidocaine.

If you accidentally use more Lidocaine than you should, speak to your physician as soon as you can. You may experience symptoms like:

  • Blurred vision

  • Dizziness

  • Drowsiness

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Trembling

  • Chest pain

  • An irregular heartbeat

Does Lidocaine cause side effects?

Answer:
The same as any medicine you may use, Lidocaine carries some risk of associated side effects. It’s rare (affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people, but if you experience any of the following side effects, stop using Lidocaine and get medical advice right away:

  • Rash

  • Swelling of your throat or tongue

  • Low blood pressure

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Feeling faint or collapsing


The most common side effects of Lidocaine (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) are skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, or a rash where you applied the cream.

If you’re looking for more information about Lidocaine side effects, take a look at the package insert that comes with your medicine, or speak to your physician.

Can I get Lidocaine through private health insurance?

Answer:
If Lidocaine Viscous or Lidocaine Ointment have been prescribed by your physician, you may be able to get it through your health insurance. You should check the formulary of medicines your insurance provider offers coverage for, and reach out to them to check if you need prior authorization beforehand. This is where your doctor has a conversation with your insurance company to confirm that Lidocaine is a medical necessity for you.

Your insurance company may only partially cover the cost of Lidocaine if you can get it through them. They may also only offer coverage if you get it from specific healthcare providers.

But, if you can’t get it through your insurance, you can still get topical Lidocaine via an online pharmacy. You’ll just need to cover the cost of treatment yourself. A healthcare professional will also need to check it’s a suitable treatment for you beforehand, too.

Treated trusted source:

  1. NHS. (2023). EMLA cream. NHS Kent Community Health. Dec 13.
  2. Frankel, E. Trumbore, M.W. (2009). Reduction in Procedure-associated Pain by Treatment with a Unique Topical Anesthetic Foam Containing 4% Lidocaine. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2(4). pp. 36-39.
  3. NHS. (2022). Common questions about lidocaine skin cream. nhs.uk. Aug 30.

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