ANALGESIC EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF AN INTRAORAL LIDOCAINE PATCH

The effectiveness of intraoral lidocaine patches was tested by asking participants to rate the pain experienced after insertions of a 25-gau ge needle. Needlesticks were performed at baseline and at various time points after patch placement. Each needlestick included contact with the periosteum. Lidocaine patches achieved significantly better analge sia than the placebo within 2.5 to five minutes after placement. Drug- related side effects were minimal and venous blood levels of lidocaine were low, averaging 10 to 14 times less than those achieved with a ty pical injection of lidocaine plus epinephrine. The authors conclude th at the lidocaine patches used in this study are effective and safe in reducing needle insertion pain in adults.