"Lidocaine" is a universal pain medication that is used in dentistry, dermatology, cosmetology, and surgery. Injection administration allows you to achieve a fast and high-quality anesthetic result. Instructions for the use of injections "Lidocaine" reports that the drug is poorly compatible with any alcoholic beverages. What exactly are the consequences awaiting a person who has decided on such a combination? We will talk about this below.
The composition of the drug and the form of release
The action of "Lidocaine" is carried out due to the main active component - lidocaine hydrochloride in the form of a monohydrate. It is the action of this component that allows to achieve an excellent anesthetic effect both with external, superficial application (during shallow surgical interventions) and with cavity procedures (anesthesia should be injected). Depending on the complexity of the intervention and the desired duration of the anesthetic effect, the dosage should be selected individually. Overdose of "Lidocaine" can lead to serious intoxication and loss of sensitivity of the treated skin area for a long time.
Product release form:
- Ampoules of the drug with a volume of 2 ml and 5 ml with a colorless solution. The tool is intended for local administration, there is no need to use the drug intravenously or intramuscularly, a solution is produced with a concentration of the active substance of 10%, 2%, 1%.
- Aerosol spray with a lidocaine concentration of 10%. This is a clear alcohol solution with a pronounced menthol aroma. The bottle is equipped with a special nozzle for spraying, you can use it for the throat, auricles and other hard-to-reach parts of the body.
- Eye drops containing 2% lidocaine hydrochloride may be slightly yellowish. The product is packaged in 5 ml plastic bottles; it is used to relieve pain from the eyeball during various examinations.
- A gel and ointment is also available with the addition of lidocaine hydrochloride for external local use, for example, after receiving a hematoma or before surgical surface intervention.
Indications for injection
Instructions for the use of injections "Lidocaine" reports that the drug in injectable form can be used in certain conditions to achieve the following goals:
- relief of acute condition and analgesia with repeated ventricular fibrillation;
- ventricular tachycardia, especially with repeated attacks;
- in order to achieve the effect of infiltration, epidural, conduction or spinal varieties of anesthesia;
- in order to achieve terminal anesthesia in dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology;
- with glycoside intoxication in order to stop ventricular arrhythmias.
Application in dentistry and ophthalmology
In dentistry, the drug is used both injectively and externally in order to anesthetize the dental nerve and relieve severe pain syndrome associated with the treatment of caries, pulpitis, etc. The drug is also used to anesthetize the gums to fix the prosthesis or crown.
In ophthalmology and ENT practice, a drug in the form of drops or aerosol is more often used, the goals are as follows:
- the doctor is going to carry out contact research methods, so Lidocaine will reduce the discomfort and pain in the eyeball in the patient;
- surgical, superficial or surgical interventions in the eyeball, conjunctival and corneal procedures;
- in preparation for ophthalmic surgery as an anesthetic.
Side effects when using ointment and injections
The composition of Lidocaine and the relatively good tolerance of the drug by most patients makes this medicine one of the most popular in medicine. However, this remedy has a number of common side effects:
- on the part of the central nervous system - drowsiness tremors, trembling, chills (with the introduction of high doses, this is often observed);
- from the cardiovascular system in rare cases, tachycardia, bradycardia, pain and heaviness in the chest area can develop;
- from the gastrointestinal tract - indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting;
- allergies - urticaria, skin itching at the injection or rubbing site.
In most patients, the average dose of Lidocaine most often does not cause any inconvenience or pathology.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Instructions for use of the spray "Lidocaine" reports that this form of release has the following contraindications:
- weakened sinus node;
- AV block of the second and third degree;
- sinoarterial block;
- heart failure;
- chronic renal failure;
- retrobulbar administration with a diagnosis of glaucoma;
- violations of intraventricular conduction in a state of alcohol and drug intoxication;
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
The injection form of the drug has the same contraindications. In addition, when injected with a needle, the active components fall directly into the place necessary for anesthesia, which reduces the amount of suspension used. When applying a spray, ointment, drops, this process is more complicated: you have to wait from ten minutes to half an hour until lidocaine hydrochloride acts.
How does alcohol affect the body?
Before proceeding to consider the compatibility of Lidocaine and alcohol, you should at least roughly understand the principle of action of both of these substances on the body. Lidocaine hydrochloride is a fairly safe component, but when combined with ethyl alcohol it can sometimes give unpredictable results.
Why does drunkenness occur after drinking alcohol, inappropriate behavior begins, a person loses coordination, and in some cases can become dangerous for others? This is due to paralysis of the nervous system, this is how ethyl alcohol acts on a person, causing nerve cells (neurons) to die in the amount of tens of thousands.
In addition to severe intoxication, regular use of alcohol forms a dependency, and a person is no longer able to show a strong-willed effort, abandoning the next dose of strong drink. As a result, Lidocaine and alcohol are mixed, when even after quite complicated surgical interventions the patient is unable to refuse alcohol.
Consequences of co-administration of Lidocaine and beer
Beer is a low alcohol drink. In our country, many men, women, and even teenagers drink it like a sweet carbonated dessert. You must not lose vigilance: beer contains exactly the same ethanol as in all other alcoholic beverages.
Instructions for use of the spray "Lidocaine" reports that a direct contraindication to the use of the drug is alcohol and drug intoxication. The injection form of the drug is also incompatible with ethyl alcohol. The toxic load on the body increases, which contributes to the onset of fatty degeneration of liver cells. As a result, toxic hepatitis can be diagnosed, which will eventually lead to cirrhotic disease. The toxic load on the nervous system also increases: a person gets drunk faster and becomes inadequate.
Consequences of co-administration of lidocaine with alcohol
Strong drinks are those drinks in which the concentration of ethyl alcohol is above 40%. These are vodka, cognac, tequila, moonshine, sherry, becherovka and others.
If the patient has been treated with Lidocaine and the alcohol is drunk on the same day, then you should take care of your liver. With a high probability she will receive a double toxic impact. You should drink a course of hepatoprotectors, sit on a therapeutic diet (exclude fatty and fried foods), drink as much clean water as possible, reduce the use of black tea and coffee.
Intoxication when mixing “Lidocaine” and alcohol occurs faster, a person may unexpectedly lose coordination, and hence various injuries, head injuries, hematomas, etc.
Lidocaine and wine: consequences of drinking
Most people do not consider drinking wine alcoholism, even if they regularly abuse the drink. Is alcohol possible after lidocaine? Any doctor will confirm the inadmissibility of such a combination, and it does not matter what will be drunk - a fine wine or a stronger drink.
Even one glass of quality wine leads to vasodilation, blood begins to circulate faster. This can lead to serious consequences. "Lidocaine" and alcohol are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream, which in some cases can lead to increased side effects, intoxication of the liver, multiple death of neurons.
The remaining manifestations depend on the individual characteristics of the body. In women, as a rule, intoxication and its attendant problems begin faster due to low tolerance and low body weight. Men like poisoning, as a rule, carry easier.
The effect of double intoxication on the liver
The effects of mixing Lidocaine and alcohol are difficult to predict. If a person is distinguished by excellent health, then they may not be at all. But the most common consequence is a toxic blow to the liver.
The load on the body increases, which contributes to the onset of fatty degeneration of liver cells. As a result, toxic hepatitis can be diagnosed, which will eventually lead to cirrhotic disease. Therefore, if it is not possible to avoid the combination of "Lidocaine" and alcohol, then you should at least drink a course of drugs for the liver, pancreas, gall bladder. People with chronic cholecystitis and pancreatitis should be especially careful. The combination of "Lidocaine" and alcohol often provokes a complication of these diseases. Therefore, you should completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages after any medical intervention.
How much alcohol can I drink after Lidocaine?
The optimal time is 48 hours. If you take alcohol earlier than this period, then there is a risk of developing the above side effects.
Reception of alcohol-containing drinks immediately after using Lidocaine provokes serious poisoning, which is accompanied by:
- toxic load on the liver;
- death of nerve cells;
- leaching of minerals and vitamins from the body;
- nausea and vomiting;
- degeneration of pancreatic cells;
- exacerbation of pancreatitis and cholecystitis;
- swelling of the hands, feet, face;
- the development of alcoholic delirium (if the patient suffers from heavy drinking).
If a sick person after surgery, dental treatment or dermatological problems is not able to refuse to drink alcohol, it is possible with a high degree of probability to claim that he has an alcohol dependence. This is a very serious condition, the treatment of which is carried out by a narcologist.