lidocaine

American  

[lahy-duh-keyn] / ˈlaɪ dəˌkeɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic crystalline powder, C 14 H 22 N 2 O, used as a local anesthetic and also in the management of certain arrhythmias.

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lidocaine British  

/ ˈlaɪdəˌkeɪn /

noun

1. Also called: lignocaine.  a powerful local anaesthetic administered by injection, or topically to mucous membranes. Formula: C 14 H 22 N 2 O.HCl.H 2 O

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lidocaine Scientific  

/ lī′də-kān′ /

1. A synthetic amide, C ₁₄ H ₂₂ N ₂ O, used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride as a local anesthetic.

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Etymology

Origin of lidocaine

(acetani)lid(e) + -o- + -caine, extracted from cocaine (to designate an anesthetic)

Example Sentences

My scalp was a little bloody, but thanks to a few pokes of lidocaine, the injections were relatively painless.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Because applying lidocaine takes extra time, Krajweski says some gynecologists look at her sideways for using it for IUDs, as well as endometrial biopsies.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2025

Birch also cites an experiment in which lidocaine was used to relieve experimentally-induced pain from an injection of acetic acid in an octopus.

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2024

With this option, lidocaine is injected at two different spots near the cervix to numb the area.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2023

“The local anesthesia we use is usually lidocaine, which doesn’t disrupt the mental abilities of our patients, so they are able to drive themselves home,” he said in an email.

From New York Times • Mar. 25, 2023