INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
Home | Consumers | Health Professionals | Regulatory | Other | Hot Topics | Search
Home | Consumers | Health Professionals | Regulatory | Other | Hot Topics | Search
Xylocaine is used to stop pain during dental procedures.
This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Xylocaine. It does not contain all the information that is known about Xylocaine.
It does not take the place of talking to your dentist or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your dentist will have weighed the risks of you being given Xylocaine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your dentist or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
Xylocaine is used to prevent or relieve pain during dental procedures, but it will not put you to sleep.
Xylocaine belongs to a group of medicines called local anaesthetics. It is injected into the mouth where it makes the nerves unable to pass messages to the brain.
Depending on the amount used, Xylocaine will either totally stop pain or will cause a partial loss of feeling.
Xylocaine is often used with adrenaline to make it last longer. Adrenaline makes the blood vessels at the site of injection narrower, which means you bleed less and it is easier for your dentist to see what is happening.
Your dentist will have explained why you are being treated with Xylocaine. Follow all directions given to you by your dentist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. Ask your dentist if you want more information.
Xylocaine is not addictive
Do not use Xylocaine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor and dentist say so. Ask your doctor or dentist about the risks and benefits involved.
Xylocaine has been widely used during pregnancy and there have been no reports of any ill effects on the baby. It can be used during childbirth.
Your baby can take in very small amounts of Xylocaine from breast milk if you are breastfeeding, but it is unlikely that the amount available to the baby will do any harm.
Xylocaine will only be used if the solution is clear, the package is undamaged and the use by (expiry) date marked on the pack has not been passed.
If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hayfever, asthma
or feel faint.
It may not be safe for you to be given Xylocaine if you have any of these conditions.
These medicines may affect the way Xylocaine works.
Your dentist or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
If you have not told your dentist about any of these things, tell them before you are given any Xylocaine.
Xylocaine will be injected by your dentist into the gum inside your mouth near a single nerve, or into an area which contains a large number of nerves.
This will result in an area of numbness at the site or near the site of injection.
Xylocaine should not be injected directly into the blood.
The dosage you will be given will depend on your body size, age and the type of dental work you will be having done.
Your dentist will have had a lot of experience injecting Xylocaine or other local anaesthetics and will choose the best dose for you. They will be willing to discuss this decision with you.
The dentist giving you Xylocaine will be experienced in the use of local anaesthetics, so it unlikely that you will be given an overdose.
However, if you are particularly sensitive to Xylocaine, or the dose is accidently injected directly into your blood, you may develop problems for a short time. You may get a numb feeling in or around the mouth, feel dizzy or stiff, or have twitchy muscles. If Xylocaine with adrenaline is being used and this happens, you will feel alarmed and your heart will beat very rapidly.
Whenever you are given Xylocaine, equipment will be available to care for you if an overdose happens.
Do not eat or drink anything until the feeling has returned to your mouth. You may burn or bite yourself.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Xylocaine affects you. You may be drowsy and your reflexes may be slow.
Do not drink alcohol immediately before or after you are given Xylocaine. If you drink alcohol while you are being given Xylocaine your blood pressure may drop making you feel dizzy and faint.
Please talk to your dentist or pharmacist about these possibilities if you think they may bother you.
Tell your dentist or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Xylocaine.
Xylocaine helps most people have pain free visits to the dentist, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your dentist or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
These are all mild side effects of Xylocaine.
These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
Serious side effects are rare.
These are very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious (allergic) reaction to Xylocaine. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
All of these side effects are very rare.
Tell your dentist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Some people may get other side effects while using Xylocaine.
Xylocaine will be stored by your dentist under the recommended conditions.
It should be kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Any Xylocaine from a single dose which is not used, will be disposed of in a safe manner by your dentist.
Xylocaine is a clear colourless solution and is available under the following names:
The active ingredient is lignocaine hydrochloride 20mg/mL, plus
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment
Water for Injections.
The active ingredients are lignocaine hydrochloride 20mg/mL and adrenaline 12.5 mcg/mL.
These are available as 2.2mL dental cartridges.
Dentsply (NZ) Limited
C/O Rusell McVeagh
48 Shortland Street
Auckland
Dentsply New Zealand
C/- Zuellig Pharma Ltd
54 Carbine Road
Mt Wellington
Auckland
Freephone: 0800 809 074
This leaflet was prepared in April 2002.