Which is better: Lidocaine or Novocaine? This question interests many people, since modern medicine is very difficult to imagine without such popular and popular painkillers. The action of both of these drugs is aimed at eliminating pain. However, despite the general function of these funds, there are still differences between them. You will learn more about which pain medication is better (Lidocaine or Novocaine).
Basic Information About Lidocaine
Before answering the question of which is better - "Lidocaine" or "Novocaine" - you need to know about the features of each of the presented funds.
The drug "Lidocaine" is used as an anesthetic drug in many fields of medicine, including:
- in obstetrics;
- in surgery;
- in dentistry;
- in traumatology, etc.
Features of this tool are:
- effective and rapid tissue anesthesia;
- antiarrhythmic effect;
- good interaction with other anesthetics.
To understand which is better, Lidocaine or Novocaine, you should find out if these drugs cause side effects. According to the instructions, such a powerful anesthetic as Lidocaine only occasionally causes negative effects. But, despite this, a sensitivity test should always be performed before the anesthesia procedure.
The agent in question contributes to the expansion of blood vessels. It should also be borne in mind that nerve conduction under the influence of this anesthetic can be markedly inhibited.
The concentration of the drug used and the place of its use affects how quickly the analgesic effect is achieved, and how long it will last.
When exposed to "Lidocaine" on the mucous membranes, a positive therapeutic result is noted faster than when applied to the skin. As for intramuscular injection, in this case, tissue anesthesia occurs after 5-9 minutes.
Product Release Form
Arguing about what is stronger: “Lidocaine” or “Novocaine”, it should be remembered that such drugs are available in different forms. That is, the analgesic effect in different types of drugs can vary in strength and duration.
Lidocaine can be purchased at any pharmacy. It is available in forms such as:
- Odorless ointment, white (in 15 g tubes of aluminum).
- The solution for injection is odorless and colorless (may have 2% and 10% concentration).
- The gel is odorless and colorless. Such a drug goes on sale in 15 g tubes or 30 g jars of glass. It is used for local anesthesia in children (for example, when teething).
- Eye drops in 5 ml dropper bottles.
- A colorless spray with a pronounced aroma of menthol.
Indications
It is rather difficult to talk about which is better for pain relief: Lidocaine or Novocaine, since both of the mentioned drugs have an analgesic effect. However, experts argue that the first tool is used in medical practice much more often.
In dentistry (when performing certain operations in the oral cavity):
- at the opening of abscesses;
- when removing milk teeth;
- in the treatment of teeth;
- when suturing and removing bones;
- when removing papillae in the tongue;
- for gum anesthesia when prostheses or crowns are installed.
In otolaryngology:
- for pain relief before washing the nose;
- when removing polyps in the nose;
- before cleansing the maxillary sinuses.
In gynecology, the drug "Lidocaine" is actively used for:
- dissections during labor;
- removal and suturing;
- surgical operations on the cervix.
In traumatology, such a medication is used for injuries and bruises. As a local anesthetic, Lidocaine is actively used for gastroscopy of the stomach or FGDS.
Contraindications
Before deciding what is best for the child: Lidocaine or Novocaine, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions of both drugs. You should also take into account the fact that in some cases, the use of the first remedy can contribute to serious negative consequences. Therefore, "Lidocaine" is forbidden to use when:
- infectious diseases;
- acute diseases;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- heart disease
- pathologies of the liver;
- the presence of neoplasms in the field of application of the drug.
Instructions for use
The dosage of "Lidocaine" used for pain relief depends on the form of release of the drug. For example, an injection solution is selected individually (depending on the injection site and patient response). Such a medication is preferably administered at the lowest dose and concentration.
The maximum dosage of Lidocaine for adults should not exceed 300 mg.
It should also be noted that the volume of the injected solution depends on the size of the anesthetized area. If it is necessary to administer a large amount of a drug with a low concentration, the standard solution is pre-diluted with 0.9% saline saline.
Weakened patients, the elderly and children are administered anesthetic in small doses, which correspond to their physical condition and age.
Side effects
Most often, the nervous system suffers from the use of "Lidocaine", and therefore the following side effects may occur in patients:
- nervousness, headaches, fear of light;
- euphoria, blurred consciousness, tremor;
- drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision.
Basic information about Novocain
Such painkillers as Lidocaine and Novocaine are prescribed to the child only in extreme cases. Only the specialist should recommend the mentioned medications and choose the dosage.
Novocaine is an ester. Compared with other anesthetics, the duration of action of such a drug is not high, however, it also has its advantages. These include the following:
- improves microcirculation;
- has a vasoconstrictor effect;
- reduces myocardial excitability.
In addition, Novocain has the following features:
- has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- has an antihistamine effect;
- reduces bacterial activity.
Release Forms
In pharmacy chains, the drug Novocain can be found in the following forms:
- 0.25% or 0.5% solution in ampoules;
- 1% or 2% solution in ampoules;
- rectal suppositories;
- 5%, 8% or 10% oil solution.
When to use?
The Novocain solution is used in the following cases:
- to restore microcirculation (with frostbite);
- with spasms of peripheral vessels;
- as an anesthetic during childbirth;
- for local anesthesia during surgical interventions;
- in order to eliminate pain in the digestive tract.
Rectal suppositories are used mainly for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
In what cases do not prescribe?
Contraindications of the drug in question are the following conditions:
- the presence of bleeding;
- minor age;
- sensitivity to anesthetics.
With extreme caution, the medication is used for:
- inflammatory diseases;
- liver failure;
- heart disease.
How to apply?
The dosage of Novocaine in certain cases is selected only by a specialist (depending on the purpose of use, the form of the drug, the vastness of the anesthetized area, etc.).
It should be especially noted that to reduce the absorption of the drug into the systemic circulation, as well as to prolong the action during terminal anesthesia, an additional 0.1% solution of epinephrine hydrochloride is additionally used.
Side effects
After using the Novocain solution, the patient may develop the following side effects:
- headache, change in blood pressure;
- trismus, pain in the region of the heart;
- itching, peeling on the skin and rash.
Such body reactions require an immediate cessation of the use of the drug.
Use with Ceftriaxone
What is the best way to breed Ceftriaxone: with Lidocaine or Novocaine? Experts say that using an antibiotic with Novocain is extremely undesirable. What is the reason for this? The fact is that almost all antibiotic agents are strong allergic substances. Together with novocaine, they can provoke the development of anaphylactic shock in the patient. Therefore, when answering the question of which is better to breed antibiotics (Lidocaine or Novocaine), specialists are more inclined to the first option. In the case of Ceftriaxone, dilute it with Lidocaine solution as follows:
- 1.0 ml of special water for injection and 1.0 ml of lidocaine are mixed in one sterile syringe;
- the resulting solution is carefully injected into the ampoule with the Ceftriaxone antibiotic.
Compositions of funds and their similarities
What is better for injections: Lidocaine or Novocaine? The answer to this question is definitely quite difficult. Both presented drugs perform the same task - anesthesia. In addition, the chemical composition of these products is the same. The composition of the solutions includes:
- amide or ether chain;
- aromatic hydrophobic group;
- hydrophilic tertiary or secondary amino group.
Also mentioned anesthetics have the same pharmacokinetic properties. A small part of the drug is excreted from the human body along with urine, and the rest is disintegrated.
Differences
The main difference between Lidocaine and Novocaine is that the first medication belongs to the group of amides, and the second to the group of esters.
Esters are unstable substances. After ingestion, they rapidly decompose under the influence of water. As a result of this, decay products can provoke the development of severe allergic reactions.
The anesthetic effect and duration of action of Lidocaine is deeper and stronger than that of Novocaine. In addition, amides, in comparison with ethers, are more stable. The splitting of such a substance occurs slowly, and therefore the likelihood of allergies is minimal.
Which is better: Lidocaine or Novocaine?
According to experts, the drug "Lidocaine" copes with pain relief better and stronger than the medication "Novocaine". That is why such a tool is widely used in medicine, especially in dentistry.
Also, the benefits of "Lidocaine" include its positive effect on inflamed tissue.
This drug has the following advantages:
- less likely to develop an allergic reaction;
- lack of toxic effects on the patient’s body.
Similar anesthetics, drug compatibility, reviews
In addition to Lidocaine and Novocaine, modern medicine also uses anesthetics such as Ultracaine, Septanest, Ubistesin, etc.
Combining Novocain and Lidocaine in any form is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the following undesirable consequences may occur:
- disorders of the central nervous system;
- the occurrence of hallucinations.
What do experts say about anesthetics? According to doctors, the analgesic effect in patients is achieved faster after using Ultracain. However, no one refuses Lidocaine and Novocaine. They continue to be used in surgery, and in dentistry, and gynecology. To avoid the development of allergic reactions, before using such drugs, experts recommend that you do a sensitivity test.