Pregnancy And Viscous Lidocaine: Is It Safe?

Viscous lidocaine is a local anaesthetic used to treat painful mucous membranes and throat pain associated with oral diseases and procedures involving the mouth or throat. It is also used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain medical or dental procedures. While the drug has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women, it is recommended that it should only be used when clearly needed. Animal studies have not shown evidence of harm to the fetus, but there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug crosses the placenta and can cause varying degrees of maternal, fetal, and neonatal toxicity.

Lidocaine crosses the placenta but animal studies show no harm to the foetus

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that can be used to relieve pain and discomfort in the mouth and throat. It can also be used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain procedures.

While there is no evidence that viscous lidocaine is harmful to the foetus, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless clearly needed. Lidocaine crosses the placenta, and while animal studies have not shown any harm to the foetus, there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, it is important to consider the benefit versus risk before administering lidocaine to pregnant women or those of childbearing potential.

The US FDA has classified lidocaine as Pregnancy Category B, which means that animal reproduction studies have not shown a risk to the foetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. The AU TGA pregnancy category is A, indicating that a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age have taken the drug without any observed increase in foetal malformations or other harmful effects.

When used during labour and delivery, lidocaine may cause maternal and foetal toxicity. It can lead to maternal hypotension and alterations in the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone, and cardiac function in the foetus or neonate. It is important to monitor the foetal heart rate continuously and consider electronic fetal monitoring. Accumulation of metabolites should also be considered, and recommended doses should not be exceeded.

In summary, while lidocaine crosses the placenta, animal studies have shown no harm to the foetus. However, due to the lack of controlled data in human pregnancy, lidocaine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Lidocaine is excreted in breast milk but is unlikely to harm the infant

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that is applied topically to treat painful mucous membranes or throat pain associated with oral diseases and for procedures involving the mouth or throat. It is also used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain medical or dental procedures.

While lidocaine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women, it is known that the drug crosses the placenta. Animal studies have not shown any harm to the foetus, but there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. For this reason, lidocaine should only be used during pregnancy when clearly needed and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Lidocaine is excreted in breast milk, but only in small amounts. Side effects in nursing infants are unlikely, and any adverse reactions would probably be limited to an idiosyncratic or allergic reaction. However, caution is recommended, and patients should consult their doctors before taking this drug while breastfeeding.

In one study, 26 women were given an epidural of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% for pain control during caesarean deliveries. The average milk concentration of lidocaine was reported as 860 mcg/L, 460 mcg/L, and 220 mcg/L at 2, 4, and 12 hours after delivery, respectively. Medical supervision is recommended during breastfeeding.

Lidocaine can cause maternal and foetal toxicity during labour and delivery

Lidocaine is a local amide anaesthetic that is applied topically to relieve pain and discomfort in the mouth and throat. It is also used to numb the mouth and throat before certain medical procedures. It is generally recommended that lidocaine should only be used during pregnancy when clearly needed and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Lidocaine crosses the placenta and can cause varying degrees of maternal and foetal toxicity when used during labour and delivery. Local anaesthetics can cause maternal hypotension and alterations to the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone, and cardiac function in the foetus or neonate. Fetal bradycardia, associated with fetal acidosis and hypoxia, may also occur following paracervical block. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate is recommended during labour and delivery.

Additionally, lidocaine may delay labour and delivery and can lead to diminished muscle strength in the newborn for the first few days of life. It is also important to consider the accumulation of metabolites with all routes of administration, and recommended doses should not be exceeded.

While animal studies have not shown evidence of harm to the foetus, there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the benefits and risks before administering lidocaine to pregnant women or during early pregnancy when maximum organogenesis takes place.

Lidocaine can delay labour and delivery

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that is applied topically to treat painful mucous membranes or throat pain associated with oral diseases and for procedures involving the mouth or throat. It is also used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain medical/dental procedures.

While lidocaine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women, it is known that the drug crosses the placenta. Animal studies have not shown evidence of harm to the foetus, and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, local anaesthetics can rapidly cross the placenta and cause varying degrees of maternal, foetal, and neonatal toxicity.

Maternal and foetal toxicity may occur when lidocaine is used during labour and delivery. It may also delay labour and delivery, leading to diminished muscle strength in the newborn for the first few days of life. Therefore, the use of lidocaine during pregnancy is recommended only if clearly needed and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

If lidocaine is administered during labour and delivery, continuous monitoring of the foetal heart rate is advised. Accumulation of metabolites should also be considered, and recommended doses should not be exceeded.

Lidocaine use should be discussed with a doctor

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that is applied topically to treat painful mucous membranes or throat pain associated with oral diseases and for procedures involving the mouth or throat. It is also used to numb the lining of the mouth and throat before certain medical or dental procedures.

While animal studies have not shown any harm to the foetus, viscous lidocaine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss the risks and benefits of using lidocaine during pregnancy with a doctor.

Lidocaine is categorised as US FDA pregnancy category B, which means that animal reproduction studies have not demonstrated a risk to the foetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. The AU TGA pregnancy category for lidocaine is A, indicating that a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age have taken the drug without any proven increase in malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the foetus.

Lidocaine crosses the placenta and can cause varying degrees of maternal, fetal, and neonatal toxicity. Potential toxicities include maternal hypotension and alterations of the central nervous system, peripheral vascular tone, and cardiac function in the foetus or neonate. Accumulation of metabolites should be considered, and recommended doses should not be exceeded.

It is important to note that lidocaine may also delay labour and delivery and lead to diminished muscle strength in the newborn for the first few days of life. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the use of lidocaine during pregnancy with a doctor to weigh the benefits against the potential risks.

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