Lidocaine ointment is a local anesthetic that is used to prevent and treat pain caused by some procedures, as well as to treat minor burns, scrapes, and insect bites. It can also be used to stop itching and pain from certain skin conditions such as eczema, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures, and to decrease discomfort or pain during certain medical procedures/exams such as sigmoidoscopy and cystoscopy. Lidocaine ointment is also indicated for the production of anesthesia of accessible mucous membranes of the oropharynx and as an anesthetic lubricant for intubation.

It is important to note that lidocaine ointment should not be used on areas of skin that are infected, open, or damaged, as this may increase the amount of medicine that passes through the skin. Lidocaine ointment should also be used with caution in the presence of sepsis or severely traumatized mucosa in the area of application, since under such conditions there is the potential for rapid systemic absorption.

If you are using lidocaine ointment to relieve pain from new dentures, it should be applied with clean hands to all the surfaces of the dentures that touch your gums. To lessen the amount of lidocaine that may be swallowed, it should not be applied to the chewing surfaces of your dentures.

Lidocaine ointment should only be used as directed by a healthcare provider and should not be used long-term to decrease pain from poorly fitting dentures or to treat teething pain in infants and young children due to an increased risk of serious side effects. If you experience any side effects while using lidocaine ointment, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.