Using a 1% lidocaine solution to dilute certain drugs can reduce the pain that can occur after an intramuscular (IM) injection.
Drugs for which lidocaine has been used as a diluent:
(1) benzathine penicillin
(3) ceftriazone
(3) myochrysine (gold sodium thiomalate)
Checklist for adding 1% lidocaine to a drug solution:
(1) The drug is to be used for an intramuscular injection.
(2) Intramuscular injection of the drug causes significant pain.
(3) The drug solution and the 1% lidocaine solution are compatible (no precipitate, no inactivation, etc).
(4) The addition of the lidocaine can be done aseptically.
(5) There is evidence that adding the lidocaine reduces injection pain significantly.
The volume of the 1% lidocaine solution to add depends on several factors. For myochrysine 0.1 mL of 1% lidocaine provided pain relief for children (Kovalesky et al).
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
