Is It Safe To Use Lidocaine Cream While Pregnant
Posted on June 06 2018
Lidocaine is a popular topical anesthetic or numbing agent, which is majorly used during tattooing, minor surgery, and other cosmetic procedures. Some common names for lidocaine are Emla, Lidoderm, Xylocaine, and AnaMantle.
General Precautions for using lidocaine
The ingredient lidocaine has been placed in category B in the pregnancy, but as per certain reports, there are certain side effects on infants born to mothers who were found using this anesthetic during pregnancy. It occurs in women using excessive lidocaine. However, there are no side effects if it is used at a normal dose.
Lidocaine is able to quickly pass through the placenta to the growing baby. Therefore, doctors recommend to use it only for an established medical needs. Furthermore, it can be used as an epidural labor with no side effects.
Pregnancy
According to one study, over 229,000 women out of which approximately 700 were exposed to lidocaine during pregnancy. There were no definitive negative side effects, pregnancy complications or birth defects associated with lidocaine use in those pregnant women. Likewise, other studies have also shown the same results.
Safe During Breastfeeding
Numbing Cream Warnings For Pregnancy & Breast Feeding
Ingredients To Look Out For
Breastfeeding
Is Hail Ice Or Snow
Hail is a chunk of a ice that can fall during thunderstorms. Unlike snow, sleet, freezing rain and graupel, which occur in colder weather, hail is most common in warm conditions. The size of the ice can vary based on the strength of the thunderstorm, with the largest hail comparable to the size of a softball.
Can I Use A Muscle Rub While Pregnant
In short, over-the-counter muscle rubs like IcyHot or Tiger Balm are OK to use while pregnant because of their low concentration of ingredients, according to Christine Sterling, MD, FACOG, a board-certified ob-gyn in California. Due to the large volume of different formulations available, Dr. Sterling recommends speaking with your doctor before using topical medications, especially while pregnant.
Similarly, Dr. King explained when your doctor is discussing medication safety in the context of pregnancy, they’re often trying to determine how a particular drug will affect a developing fetus. While some medications are perfectly safe to take when you’re not pregnant, they could be very harmful to a baby in utero. “Muscle rubs are locally acting, thus there is minimal systemic absorption, so the concern for harm to the fetus is minimal,” she said.
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Feel Achy During Pregnancy Experts Say It’s Ok To Use A Muscle Rub To Relieve Pain
Typically used for aches and pains like arthritis, backaches, and muscle strains, women often look to muscle rubs and balms for temporary muscle relief during pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy is riddled with musculoskeletal complaints such as sciatica, round ligament pain, and carpal tunnel, Kiarra King, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Chicago told POPSUGAR. Achy joints and ligaments can occur as a result of hormonal changes, while some may experience muscle discomfort from the growth of the abdomen. Ahead, experts break down whether it is safe to use muscle rubs during pregnancy and the necessary steps you can take to ensure proper care.
Before Using Lidocaine Transdermal
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lidocaine other medications such as benzocaine. bupivacaine , etidocaine , mepivacaine , prilocaine , procaine, tetracaine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lidocaine transdermal. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen , chloroquine, dapsone , disopyramide , flecainide , medications applied to the skin or mouth to treat pain, metoclopramide , mexiletine , moricizine , nitrofurantoin , nitroglycerin , nitroprusside , phenobarbital, phenytoin , primaquine, procainamide , propafenone , quinidine , quinine , sulfasalazine , and tocainide . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency , methemoglobinemia , or heart, lung, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using lidocaine patches or topical systems, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using lidocaine patches or topical systems.
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Can You Use Icy Hot While Pregnant
Pregnancy comes with a wide range of new experiences, including aches and pains in places you never expected. Determining which medications or over-the-counter treatments are safe can feel like navigating a minefield. So when muscle pain or a sore back stops you in your tracks, can you reach for that Icy Hot to ease the pain?
The short answer: Icy Hot isnt necessarily restricted, but not many studies have investigated its safety. Some providers think its OK others think you should steer clear. Call your doctor for specific instructions.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Do not store patches and topical systems outside the sealed envelope. Fold used patches or topical systems so that the adhesive side sticks to itself and then safely discard into trash and where children and pets cannot get to them.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Using Lidocaine Topical
You should not use lidocaine topical if you are allergic to any type of numbing medicine.
Fatal overdoses have occurred when numbing medicines were used without the advice of a medical doctor . However, overdose has also occurred in women treated with a numbing medicine before having a mammography.
Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are performed without a medical doctor present.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- a blood cell disorder called methemoglobinemia
- liver disease or
- if you take a heart rhythm medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you apply lidocaine topical to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby’s mouth.
Is It Safe To Use Lidocaine In Pregnancy
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic most commonly used during dental work and minor surgery, though it also can relieve the burning and itching caused by skin irritations. It is typically OK to use lidocaine in pregnancy when necessary, because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed it in Pregnancy Category B. This is because animal studies have shown no ill effects when used on pregnant rats, but there are not enough adequately controlled human studies to place it in the safer Pregnancy Category A. For this reason, doctors usually try to avoid using lidocaine, or even doing dental work, until the pregnancy is over.
While studies on humans are not sufficient to say whether this medication is harmful or harmless in humans, it is known that it crosses the placenta. This means that, when a woman takes lidocaine in pregnancy, her fetus will come in contact with a portion of the drug, most likely with no lasting negative effects, if animal studies are any indication. Even so, doctors may either use other numbing medications or hold off on minor surgery in pregnant women. They also may wait until the pregnancy is over to offer this drug for relief of the itchiness of skin rashes, as long as doing so will not have an adverse effect on the woman or baby.
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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Lidocaine Topical
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- severe headache or vomiting
- severe burning, stinging, or irritation where the medicine was applied
- swelling or redness
- sudden dizziness or drowsiness after medicine is applied
- confusion, problems with speech or vision, ringing in your ears or
- unusual sensations of temperature.
- mild irritation where the medication is applied or
- numbness in places where the medicine is accidentally applied.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Otc Pain Relief Medications Are Not Safe During Pregnancy
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are popular medications for pain relief and inflammation. OTC NSAIDs include medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen , and naproxen . But your healthcare provider may not recommend NSAIDs during pregnancy.
Were not exactly sure how safe NSAIDS are in early pregnancy. NSAIDs taken before 20 weeks of pregnancy have a potential risk of miscarriage and birth defects. So to play it safe, its probably best to avoid them.
And in 2020, the FDA warned that using NSAIDs around 20 weeks or later in pregnancy may cause serious kidney problems in an unborn baby. They also warned that they can lead to low amounts of amniotic fluid, which is the liquid that surrounds a baby in the womb. Plus, using NSAIDs like ibuprofen during the later stages of pregnancy may also cause certain heart and lung problems.
If using an NSAID is necessary, try to limit it to the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time possible. The FDA suggests an ultrasound to monitor for side effects if a pregnant woman uses an NSAID for more than 48 hours.
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Is It Safe To Use Lidocaine While Pregnant
Though lidocaine is regularly administered to pregnant women, there are reports of negative side effects on infants born to mothers using the anesthetic. This is usually due to women getting too much lidocaine at a normal dose, these adverse outcomes are unlikely.
Lidocaine does pass very quickly through the placenta so doctors suggest only using the anesthetic for established medical needs. Lidocaine can be used as an epidural during labor. No negative side effects from epidural use have been reported.
The drug has not been shown to have any effect on fertility in animal studies, but no human studies have been completed.
Accidental Exposure In Children
Even a used LIDODERM patch contains a large amount of lidocaine . The potential exists for a small child or a pet to suffer serious adverse effects from chewing or ingesting a new or used LIDODERM patch, although the risk with this formulation has not been evaluated. It is important for patients to store and dispose of LIDODERM out of the reach of children, pets and others.
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Are Opioid Medications Safe To Take During Pregnancy
No. Pregnant women shouldnt use opioids. Opioids are powerful pain relievers that need a prescription theyre not available OTC. The Drug Enforcement Agency categorizes opioids as narcotics. The DEA monitors opioids for opioids for misuse because of serious risks and dependence potential.
In pregnancy, opioids shouldnt be used due to risks of miscarriage, poor fetal growth, and premature birth. Birth defects and neonatal abstinence syndrome are also possible.
Common opioid pain relievers include medications like:
Dental Anesthesia Side Effects
It is not advisable to obtain any form of sedative or anesthetic while carrying a child. The side effects of anesthesia will be compounded in pregnant women who are already sensitive to changes in their internal and external environment. Common side effects of anesthesia include:
- Inability to operate a vehicle
- Difficulty speaking or forming coherent sentences
- Prolonged sleep
- Nausea or lack of appetite
Since unborn children also share their mothers blood supply, they will be at risk developmentally should the anesthetic enter their yet-to-be-formed systems.
However, most routine procedures can be administered to pregnant women without issue if youre unsure, you can always contact your dentist ahead of time. The following dental work are typically safe to receive during pregnancy:
1. X-Ray Exams
Scientific evidence suggests that pregnant women can safely undergo a dental x-ray with adequate shielding. Some women feel the need to take precautions to postpone their x-ray beyond their first trimester, but studies do not indicate any harmful or deleterious effects on an infant from an x-ray. In any case, the number of x-rays performed over this 9-month period should be minimized if possible.
2. Regular Teeth Cleanings
3. Fillings & Crown Onlays
4. Teeth Whitening
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Are Cbd And Herbal Pain Relievers Safe To Take During Pregnancy
In short, no.
Cannabidiol and other herbal products are available OTC and are popular options for a variety of conditions, including pain relief. CBD comes from the marijuana plant, but its not psychoactive.
The FDA advises against the use of any form of CBD during pregnancy. These products arent regulated for dosing or contaminants by the FDA. The American Pregnancy Association also urges women to consult both their healthcare provider and a trained herbalist if they want to take herbal products during their pregnancy.
Ultimately, the FDA needs more research to confirm the safety of CBD and herbal supplements in pregnancy.
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
This medication is usually used as needed. If your doctor has told you to use lidocaine patches or topical systems regularly, apply the missed patch or topical system as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed patch and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Are There Any Health Benefits To Eating Ice
Several studies have attempted to expand on the association between eating ice and iron deficiency anemia, and some suggest the cold crunchiness of ice may have positive effects on symptoms. It has been shown that the ice cravings of pagophagia can be relieved by iron supplements in anemic patients.
The Confusion Around Icy Hot
While some physicians feel its safe to use Icy Hot as long as it isnt used on the belly, others feel it shouldnt be used at all. This is why its best to consult your physician before using it, so you can make an informed decision. Still, Icy Hot isnt considered a restricted substance, and its generally regarded as safe to use throughout your pregnancy.
The conflict around Icy Hot is that its ingredients can be absorbed into your bloodstream and pass into the fetus. Some of its main ingredients include methyl salicylate , menthol, and camphor. The wintergreen oil provides a cool sensation followed by a warm one, while menthol and camphor also confer soothing properties.
Specifically, wintergreen oil may be of concern because its a salicylate the same type of ingredient found in aspirin. Normally, wintergreen is considered safe when ingested in the quantities typically found in foods, even for pregnant women.
But there arent enough studies on its large-scale topical use among pregnant women to confirm its safety when used in larger quantities. That said, not all formulations of Icy Hot contain methyl salicylate, which adds to the confusion about whether this topical treatment is safe to use while pregnant.
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Common Oral Problems During Pregnancy
Pregnant women must take more care of themselves than usual, as they are susceptible to several medical issues, including oral health problems. Some of the most commonly reported oral concerns among pregnant women include:
Pregnancy Thrush
Thrush infections are essentially caused by a yeast overgrowth on the tongue and along the interior of the cheeks. The most obvious symptom of a thrush infection in the mouth is several milky white patches. Pregnant women are twice as likely to develop thrush than non-pregnant women because the influx of estrogen during pregnancy creates an optimal breeding environment for yeast.
Swollen Gums
The fluctuation of hormone levels during pregnancy can also cause swollen gums and even gingivitis. These hormonal changes can stimulate blood flow to sensitive areas of the mouth, including the gums, which can lead to noticeable and painful swelling due to gum disease and periodontal disease.
Tooth Pain & Wisdom tooth pain while Pregnant
Pregnant women often report tooth sensitivity and pain, especially in the wisdom tooth near the back of the mouth. The cause of tooth decay pain during pregnancy is usually the same as if it were for swollen gums and thrush hormones signal an increase of blood flow to sensitive areas of the body, which include the mouth.
