Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that numbs the area where you use it. It's used in some medicines to treat:
- mouth ulcers
- sore throats
- teething
- soreness caused by false teeth (dentures)
Lidocaine treatments for mouth and throat come as gels, ointments, liquids, sprays and lozenges.
You can buy them from a pharmacy. Some treatments are also available to buy in shops.
Nearly all lidocaine mouth and throat treatments contain other active ingredients, such as antiseptics to help kill germs.
There are different types of lidocaine for other conditions, including medicated plasters, skin creams and suppositories.
Find out more about using lidocaine skin cream and lidocaine for piles and itchy bottom.
Key facts
- Lidocaine numbs pain quickly. You should start to feel better within 30 minutes.
- It's generally a safe medicine and side effects are rare.
- If your baby is teething, check the instructions carefully before giving them lidocaine. Not all treatments are suitable for young children.
- For teething, it's best to try other things such as teething rings first before using a medicine. Read about tips for helping your teething baby.
- Be careful of having hot food and drinks after using lidocaine. The numbing effect means you could burn your mouth.