ome patients develop a chronic cough that is unresponsive to usual therapy. Nebulized lidocaine may be helpful in treating these patients.
Usual agents for treating cough: dextramethorphan, opioid, benzonatate, inhaled ipratropium, guanifenesin
Dose of lidocaine: ranges from 10 to 400 mg
Indications for a trial of nebulized lidocaine – both of the following:
(1) chronic, disabling cough
(2) failure to respond to OR unable to tolerate usual agents
The patient should be monitored for adverse effects, especially initially.
Adverse effects may include:
(1) dysphonia
(2) bitter taste
(3) oropharyngeal numbness
(4) bronchial constriction
