Gesicain 5% Ointment

Medically, it is a local anaesthetic and acute treatment of ventricular arrhythmias from myocardial infarction, cardiac manipulation, digitalis intoxication. It is also used as a topical local anaesthetic for providing relief od pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia.

Gesicain 5% Ointment is a drug of choice for ventricular ectopy, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation. It is also used for pulseless VT or VF preferably administer after defibrillation and epinephrine and to control of premature ventricular contractions, wide-complex PSVT.

Being a local anesthetic. It is used topically on the skin to reduce itchiness and skin conditions such as insect bites, eczema and burns. It is also used to cure hemorrhoids and problems of the genital/anal regions. This medication functions by reducing pain, redness and swelling. The viscous variant is used for dental treatment.

On using Gesicain 5% Ointment you may experience certain side effects such as a burning or stinging sensation, dizziness, drowsiness, changing body temperatures, blurred vision or a pounding/ringing in your ears. Severe reactions include depression, numbness and vomiting. Should your reactions continue and become worse over time contact your doctor right away.

Before using Gesicain 5% Ointment inform your doctor if: you are allergic to any medicine, food, substances or ingredients contained within Gesicain 5% Ointment, you have diabetes, liver/ stomach problems and infections.

Take the dosage recommended by your doctor for your condition. This topical medication comes as a gel, spray, cream, lotion and skin patch. Apply on the affected area of the skin after cleaning and drying it well. It is usually recommended to use about 2-3 times a day.

Gesicain 5% Ointment has a narrow therapeutic index and severe toxicity may occur slightly above the therapeutic range, especially with other antiarrhythmic drugs; symptoms of overdose include sedation, confusion, coma, seizures, respiratory arrest and cardiac toxicity (sinus arrest, A-V block, asystole, and hypotension).

The QRS and Q-T intervals are usually normal, although they may be prolonged after massive overdose; other effects include dizziness, paresthesias, tremor, ataxia, and GI disturbance.

Treatment is supportive, using conventional therapies (fluids, positioning, vasopressors, antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants); sodium bicarbonate may reverse QRS prolongation, bradyarrhythmias and hypotension; enhanced elimination with dialysis, hemoperfusion or repeat charcoal is not effective.

I.V.: You will be monitored during infusion. Do not get up without assistance. Report dizziness, numbness, double vision, nausea, pain or burning at infusion site, nightmares, hearing strange noises, seeing unusual visions, or difficulty breathing.

Oral: Lidocaine can cause numbness of tongue, cheeks, and throat. Do not eat or drink for 1 hour after use. Take small sips of water at first to ensure that you can swallow without difficulty. Your tongue and mouth may be numb; use caution avoid biting yourself. Immediately report swelling of face, lips, or tongue.

Patch: Patch may be cut to appropriate size. Apply patch to most painful area. Up to 3 patches may be applied in a single application. Patch may remain in place for up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Remove immediately if burning sensation occurs. Wash hands after application.

It is important to recognize that lidocaine has a narrow therapeutic index. Severe toxicity may occur at doses slightly above the therapeutic range, particularly when lidocaine is administered together with other antiarrhythmic drugs.

While lidocaine toxicity may elicit seizures, lidocaine may also cause respiratory arrest and cardiac toxicity (AV block, asystole, and hypotension).