From the Guidelines
Lidocaine patch is safe for left middle back pain in a geriatric male.
Key Points
- The 5% lidocaine patch has shown efficacy and excellent tolerability in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain, including those with allodynia due to different types of peripheral neuropathy 1.
- As a topical treatment, lidocaine patch has minimal systemic absorption, resulting in mild local reactions as the most common adverse effects, making it a suitable option for older patients or those with complex neuropathic pain 1.
- The recommended dosage for the 5% lidocaine patch is a maximum of 3 patches daily for a maximum of 12-18 hours, with no need for titration, and a duration of adequate trial of 3 weeks 1.
- In geriatric patients, it is essential to consider lower starting dosages and slower titration due to potential age-related changes in drug metabolism and increased sensitivity to medications 1.
- While the provided evidence does not specifically address the use of lidocaine patch for left middle back pain, its safety and efficacy profile make it a reasonable option for managing localized pain in geriatric patients, as long as proper precautions and monitoring are in place.
From the Research
Safety and Efficacy of Lidocaine Patch for Left Middle Back Pain in Geriatric Male
- The lidocaine patch has been found to be effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia, with a minimal risk of toxicity or drug-drug interactions 2.
- Clinical trials have also shown that the lidocaine patch can be beneficial for the treatment of chronic low back pain, with significant improvements in pain intensity and quality of life 3, 4.
- The patch has been found to be safe, with most adverse events being mild to moderate in intensity, and no significant difference in risk of adverse events compared to placebo patches or NSAIDs 5, 4.
- Topical lidocaine has been approved by health authorities for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia, and studies present some degree of evidence of its efficacy and safety in postsurgical pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic lower back pain, and osteoarthritis 2, 6.
- The limited absorption and relative lack of systemic adverse events of topical lidocaine make it an attractive analgesic option for vulnerable patients, including geriatric males 6.
Considerations for Geriatric Male Patients
- The lidocaine patch may be a useful treatment option for geriatric male patients with left middle back pain, particularly those who have failed other treatments or have comorbidities that make other treatments less suitable 3, 4.
- Clinicians should consider the individual patient's medical history, current medications, and potential for drug interactions when prescribing the lidocaine patch 2.
- Further study is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy and safety of the lidocaine patch for the treatment of chronic low back pain in geriatric male patients 3, 4.