Lidothol

lidocaine and menthol · Gel · Cutaneous, Topical

Prescription (Rx) Amide Local Anesthetic Antiarrhythmic

Uses

Lidothol Gel is indicated for relief of pain associated with arthritis, backache, cramps, discomfort, neckache, soreness, sprains, strains. It should be applied only to intact skin.

Dosage and administration

Lidothol Gel is contraindicated in patients with a known history of sensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type, or to any other component of the product. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Apply Lidothol Gel to intact skin to cover the most painful area. Clean and dry the affected area. Apply product directly to your skin, up to 4 times daily. Clothing may be worn over the area of application. If irritation or a burning sensation occurs during application, wash the product off your skin and do not reapply until the irritation subsides. When Lidothol Gel is used concomitantly with other products containing local anesthetic agents, the amount absorbed from all formulations must be considered.

Warnings

Medicines intended to be applied to the skin should not be swallowed. Lidothol Gel is flammable. Keep away from open flame. You should never heat, microwave, or add the medicine to hot water. Risk of Methemoglobinemia Cases of methemoglobinemia have been reported in association with lidocaine use. Although all patients are at risk for methemoglobinemia, patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital or idiopathic methemoglobinemia, cardiac or pulmonary compromise, infants under 6 months of age, and concurrent exposure to oxidizing agents or their metabolites are more susceptible to developing the condition. If lidocaine must be used in these patients, close monitoring for symptoms and signs of methemoglobinemia is recommended. Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur immediately or may be delayed some hours after exposure, and are characterized by a cyanotic skin discoloration and/or abnormal coloration of the blood. Methemoglobin levels may continue to rise; therefore, immediate treatment is required to avert more serious central nervous system and cardiovascular adverse effects, including seizures, coma, arrhythmias, and death. Excessive Dosing Excessive dosing by applying Lidothol Gel to larger areas could result in increased absorption of lidocaine and high blood concentrations, leading to serious adverse effects (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Systemic Reactions). Lidocaine toxicity could be expected at lidocaine blood concentrations above 5 mcg/mL. The blood concentration of lidocaine is determined by the rate of systemic absorption and elimination. Longer duration of application of more than the recommended number of doses, smaller patients, or impaired elimination may all contribute to increased blood concentration of lidocaine.

Precautions

General Hepatic Disease Patients with severe hepatic disease are at greater risk of developing toxic blood concentrations of Lidocaine and menthol, because of their inability to metabolize lidocaine and menthol normally. Allergic Reactions Patients allergic to para-aminobenzoic acid derivatives (procaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, etc.) have not shown cross sensitivity to lidocaine. However, Lidothol Gel should be used with caution in patients with a history of drug sensitivities, especially if the etiologic agent is uncertain. Although rare, get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction from oral or topical application of menthol: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Non-intact Skin Application to broken or inflamed skin, although not tested, may result in higher blood concentrations of lidocaine and menthol from increased absorption. Lidothol Gel is only recommended for use on intact skin. External Heat Sources Placement of external heat sources, such as heating pads or electric blankets, over Lidothol Gel is not recommended as this has not been evaluated and may increase plasma lidocaine levels. Eye Exposure The contact of Lidothol Gel with eyes, although not studied, should be avoided based on the findings of severe eye irritation with the use of similar products in animals. If eye contact occurs, immediately wash out the eye with water or saline and protect the eye until sensation returns. Information for Patients Methemoglobinemia Inform patients that use of local anesthetics may cause methemoglobinemia, a serious condition that must be treated promptly. Advise patients or caregivers to stop use and seek immediate medical attention if they or someone in their care experience the following signs or symptoms: pale, gray, or blue colored skin (cyanosis); headache; rapid heart rate; shortness of breath; lightheadedness; or fatigue. Drug Interactions Antiarrhythmic Drugs Lidothol Gel should be used with caution in patients receiving Class I antiarrhythmic drugs (such as tocainide and mexiletine) since the toxic effects are additive and potentially synergistic. Local Anesthetics When Lidothol Gel is used concomitantly with other products containing local anesthetic agents, the amount absorbed from all formulations must be considered. Drugs That May Cause Methemoglobinemia When Used with Lidothol Gel Patients who are administered local anesthetics are at increased risk of developing methemoglobinemia when concurrently exposed to the following drugs, which could include other local anesthetics: Examples of Drugs Associated with Methemoglobinemia: Class Examples Nitrates/Nitrites nitric oxide, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, nitrous oxide Local anesthetics articaine, benzocaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, procaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine Antineoplastic agents cyclophosphamide, flutamide, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, rasburicase, Antibiotics dapsone, nitrofurantoin, para-aminosalicylic acid, sulfonamides, Antimalarials chloroquine, primaquine Anticonvulsants Phenobarbital, phenytoin, sodium valproate, Other drugs acetaminophen, metoclopramide, quinine, sulfasalazine Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis Impairment of Fertility The effect of Lidothol Gel on fertility has not been studied. Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B. Lidothol Gel has not been studied in pregnancy. Labor and Delivery Lidothol Gel has not been studied in labor and delivery. Nursing Mothers Lidothol Gel has not been studied in nursing mothers. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Side effects

Application Site Reactions During or immediately after treatment with Lidothol Gel, the skin at the site of application may develop blisters, bruising, burning sensation, depigmentation, dermatitis, discoloration, edema, erythema, exfoliation, irritation, papules, petechia, pruritus, vesicles, or may be the locus of abnormal sensation. These reactions are generally mild and transient, resolving spontaneously within a few minutes to hours. Other Adverse Events Due to the nature and limitation of spontaneous reports in post marketing surveillance, causality has not been established for additional reported adverse events including: Asthenia, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, headache, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, lightheadedness, metallic taste, nausea, nervousness, pain exacerbated, paresthesia, somnolence, taste alteration, vomiting, visual disturbances such as blurred vision, flushing, tinnitus, and tremor. Systemic (Dose-Related) Reactions Systemic adverse reactions following appropriate use of Lidothol Gel are unlikely, due to the small dose absorbed (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics). Systemic adverse effects of lidocaine is similar in nature to those observed with other amide local anesthetic agents, including CNS excitation and/or depression (light headedness, nervousness, apprehension, euphoria, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, tinnitus, blurred or double vision, vomiting, sensations of heat, cold or numbness, twitching, tremors, convulsions, unconsciousness, respiratory depression and arrest). Excitatory CNS reactions may be brief or not occur at all, in which case the first manifestation may be drowsiness merging into unconsciousness. Cardiovascular manifestations may include bradycardia, hypotension and cardiovascular collapse leading to arrest. Sensitivity reactions associated with the use of mentholated products have been reported. Use of mentholated nasal drops in infants has evidently caused isolated cases of spasm of the larynx, and a few cases of nervous or digestive system disturbance have been associated with excessive inhalation or oral exposure to menthol

Overdosage

Lidocaine overdose from cutaneous absorption is rare but could occur. If there is any suspicion of lidocaine overdose (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Systemic Reactions), drug blood concentration should be checked. The management of overdose includes close monitoring, supportive care, and symptomatic treatment. Dialysis is of negligible value in the treatment of acute overdose with lidocaine. In the absence of massive topical overdose or oral ingestion, evaluation of symptoms of toxicity should include consideration of other etiologies for the clinical effects, or overdosage from other sources of lidocaine or other local anesthetics.

Description

Lidothol Gel (Lidocaine 4.5%, Menthol 5%) is comprised of a gel inside of a tube containing 4.5% Lidocaine and 5% Menthol. Inactive ingredients: Acrylates/Cl0-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aqua (Water), Amica Montana Flower Extract, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, llex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, SD Alcohol 40-B, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum

How supplied

Lidothol Gel is available as the following: 1 tube, 3.5oz NDC 83881-455-35 Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. For more information, contact Clinic Pharma. Info@Clinicpharma.com Manufactured for: Clinic Pharma Las Vegas, NV 89121 Printed in the U.S.A.

Storage

Hands should be washed after the handling of Lidothol Gel, and eye contact with Lidothol Gel should be avoided. Store in a cool, dry place with lid tightly closed. Lidothol Gel should be kept out of the reach of children.

Label text from the FDA structured product label by Clinic Pharma (revised Mar 27, 2025). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.

Active ingredients

Lidothol NDC products (5)

NDCStrength & formLabelerType
80425-0516Menthol 5 g/100g; Lidocaine Hydrochloride 4.5 g/100g
Gel
Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLCUNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER
80425-0385Menthol 1 mg/100mg; Lidocaine 4 mg/100mg
Patch
Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLCUNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER
87063-218Menthol 5 g/100g; Lidocaine Hydrochloride 4.5 g/100g
Gel
ASCLEMED USA INC.UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER
76420-253Menthol 5 g/100g; Lidocaine Hydrochloride 4.5 g/100g
Gel
Asclemed USA, Inc.UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER
83881-455Menthol 5 g/100g; Lidocaine Hydrochloride 4.5 g/100g
Gel
Clinic PharmaUNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER

Frequently asked questions

What is Lidothol used for?

Lidothol Gel is indicated for relief of pain associated with arthritis, backache, cramps, discomfort, neckache, soreness, sprains, strains. It should be applied only to intact skin.

What are the side effects of Lidothol?

Application Site Reactions During or immediately after treatment with Lidothol Gel, the skin at the site of application may develop blisters, bruising, burning sensation, depigmentation, dermatitis, discoloration, edema, erythema, exfoliation, irritation, papules, petechia, pruritus, vesicles, or may be the locus of abnormal sensation. These reactions are generally mild and transient, resolving… See the full label for the complete list.

Who makes Lidothol?

Lidothol is listed by 5 labelers in the FDA NDC directory, including Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC, Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLC, ASCLEMED USA INC., Asclemed USA, Inc..