Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND EPINEPHRINE versus XYLOCAINE VISCOUS.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND EPINEPHRINE versus XYLOCAINE VISCOUS.
LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND EPINEPHRINE vs XYLOCAINE VISCOUS
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Lidocaine is a sodium channel blocker that stabilizes neuronal membranes and inhibits action potentials, providing local anesthesia. Epinephrine is an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist that causes vasoconstriction, prolonging lidocaine's effect and reducing systemic absorption.
Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, inhibiting nerve impulse propagation and reducing pain sensation.
Local anesthesia: 1% or 2% solution with epinephrine 1:100,000 or 1:200,000; maximum dose 7 mg/kg lidocaine (500 mg) in adults; administer by infiltration or nerve block, not to exceed 1 hour between doses.
Adults: 5-15 mL orally (or swish and spit) 4-6 times daily, not to exceed 4 doses in 12 hours or 30 mL in 12 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
Lidocaine: terminal elimination half-life is approximately 1.5–2.0 hours. With continuous infusion or hepatic impairment, half-life may be prolonged (up to 4–6 hours). Epinephrine: plasma half-life is about 2–3 minutes due to rapid uptake and metabolism.
Terminal elimination half-life: 1.5-2 hours in adults; prolonged in hepatic impairment or heart failure (up to 6-8 hours). In neonates, half-life may be 3-6 hours due to immature metabolism.
Lidocaine is primarily metabolized in the liver; approximately 90% of a dose is excreted in the urine as metabolites (including monoethylglycinexylidide and glycinexylidide), with less than 10% excreted unchanged. Epinephrine is metabolized by catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase, with metabolites excreted in urine.
Renal excretion of metabolites: ~90%. Unchanged drug: <10%. Biliary/fecal: minor.
Category A/B
Category C
Local Anesthetic / Antiarrhythmic (Class Ib)
Local Anesthetic