LignocaineInfusion

Lignocaine, also known as lidocaine, is a local anesthetic (numbing) drug that has been used in anaesthesia, surgery, cardiology and pain medicine for a number of years. In chronic pain it can be used in the treatment of numerous conditions typically associated with neuropathic (nerve) pain. Some of these conditions include:

Lignocaine exerts its e!ect via a myriad of pathways. In chronic pain it helps to stabilise pain nerves and make them less responsive to excitation. It does this by blocking a chemical called sodium from initiating and transmitting nerve impulses. Lignocaine also has anti-inflammatory e!ects that are more potent than traditional anti-inflammatory drugs but with fewer side e!ects.

WHAT IS L IGNOCAINE?

HOW DOES LIGNOCAINE WORK?

• Migraines

• Fibromyalgia/complex widespread pain disorders

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

• Phantom limb pain

• Pain associated with spinal cord injuries

• Diabetic neuropathy

• Cancer related pain

• Peri-operative pain

• Pain associated with sensitisation

L I G N O C A I N E I N F U S I O N

HOW IS A L IGNOCAINE INFUSION DONE?

Lignocaine infusions can be done as a series of treatments as an outpatient or as a continuous infusion over several days as an inpatient in hospital. Your doctor will have discussed this with you beforehand.

Lignocaine can be given via a number of di!erent ways. You will likely be receiving it as either an IV (intra-venous, in the vein) or SC (subcutaneous, under the skin) infusion. If you are an inpatient the needle will be changed and repositioned every 24 hours to avoid infection and the infusion line will be changed every 72 hours.

During your treatment you will have regular observations taken from the nursing sta! including monitoring of your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation and pain scores. Lignocaine can cause changes to these parameters and they will return to normal after you have completed the treatment.

• You will present to The Anodyne Centre for a short-day admission.

• You will be connected to the infusion for a period of 2-4 hours and a subsequent short period of observation.

• You can expect the entire process to last up to 6 hours before you will be discharged home.

• You will be admitted to St John of God Subiaco Hospital for a period of 6 days and you will be connected to the infusion continuously for a period of 5 days.

• During the initial 2-3 days your doctor will aim to get you to the “optimal” dose before leaving the infusion on for the next 2-3 days.

• Once the treatment is completed you will have a short period of observation before being discharged home.

Inpatient

Outpatient

L I G N O C A I N E I N F U S I O N

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Other potential complications can occur as part of being in hospital. These can include:

If you are pregnant, have any serious cardiac conditions or have had a previous allergic reaction to lignocaine then a lignocaine infusion may not be suitable for you. Your doctor will have assessed this before your treatment.

We recommend that you do not sign any legally binding documents, drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery during and for 24 hours after stopping the lignocaine infusion.

Like all drugs lignocaine is not without its potential side e!ects. Everyone has a di!erent tolerance to lignocaine and can vary according to the condition being treated. You may not see any side e!ects, only one or more. These can be managed by reducing the dose/rate or stopping the infusion temporarily. These side e!ects will usually stop once the lignocaine infusion has been ceased. Further dose increases will be made according to how you are feeling. In general, lignocaine is a well-tolerated treatment at the dosages you will be using. Some uncommon potential side e!ects are:

• Blood clots: can be e!ectively prevented by keeping active such as walking around ward

• Infection at site of needle: nurses will regularly change needle site to prevent this

• Metallic taste

• Dizziness and/or light headedness

• Numbing and/or tingling in and around your mouth

• Blurry vision

• Tinnitus

• Tremor

• Allergic reactions are rare

WILL I NEED ANY OTHER MEDICATIONS? WILL I NEED MY USUAL PAIN

MEDICATIONS IN HOSPITAL?

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE INFUSION?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE INFUSION?

HOW EFFECTIVE IS A L IGNOCAINE INFUSION?

IS A L IGNOCAINE INFUSION RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you think a lignocaine infusion may be right for you talk to your doctor about it. If you would like any further information or would like to see one of our doctors please do not hesitate to contact The Anodyne Centre.

You will not require any additional analgesia outside of what you are currently using. If nausea and/or vomiting occur we may administer an anti-nauseant medication.

In most cases you will not need any specific preparation before the lignocaine infusion. In some instances, you may be required to complete an ECG and blood tests (liver and kidney function). You will be informed by your doctor if this is required.

The e!ectiveness of a lignocaine infusion does depend on the condition being treated and individual di!erences. The expected outcome varies from patient to patient and it is di!icult to predict your outcome before the infusion.

Some patients see an improvement in their pain during the infusion, but in many patients several infusions are required to see any benefit. Furthermore, a reduction in pain intensity is just one measure of success.

Other areas include improvement in function, psychological and emotional wellbeing, improvement to sleep and quality of life, and reduction in opioid analgesia.

In chronic pain, benefits can last anywhere from several weeks to months. Your doctor will determine on a case by case basis whether continued treatment with lignocaine is warranted.

L I G N O C A I N E I N F U S I O N

When it comes to tackling pain, we’re

better together

T H E A N O D Y N E C E N T R E . C O M . A U

177 York St, Subiaco WA 6008

(08) 6166 3788