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Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate side effects: what 53,035 FDA adverse event reports show

Lidocaine Hydrochloride And Epinephrine Bitartrate · 1,191 reaction terms · 233,877 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Amide Local Anesthetic, Antiarrhythmic

FDA label (Established Pharmacologic Class) of the closest related product

Label matched

Lidocaine (Lidocaine)

closest FDA label found for this product string; brand list suppressed because the label is a related product, not an exact match

Who reports

53,035 reports · 74% serious · 5,462 with death outcome · 63% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

Lidocaine Ointment 5% is indicated for production of anesthesia of accessible mucous membranes of the oropharynx. It is also useful as an anesthetic lubricant for intubation and for the temporary relief of pain associated with minor burns, including sunburn, abrasions of the skin, and insect bites.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

DESCRIPTION Lidocaine Ointment 5% contains a local anesthetic agent and is administered topically. See INDICATIONS AND USAGE for specific uses. Lidocaine Ointment 5% contains lidocaine, which .

FDA label, Description section

Boxed warning

None in the current label

How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled (related wording) 2Likely indication confounding 1Reporting / coding artifact 7Not in label — unassessed 30
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only (and, for the 300 most-reported drugs, adjusted for age band), and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers. Each row also shows the PRR against the other drugs of the same FDA class, which removes most confounding by the condition being treated, and a calibrated p-value: on validation, known non-causes average an ROR of about 2, so significance is judged against that empirical null (✓ = p < 0.05 after calibration). 1,151 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Inspiratory capacity decreased93202.1
157.3–259.6ROR 202.5 · calibrated p 6e-10 ✓
129.9 EB05 109.2 · IC025 +5.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=93 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Sleep disorder therapy56170.2
124.3–233.0ROR 170.4 · calibrated p 4e-9 ✓
114.2 EB05 91.2 · IC025 +5.4
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=56 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Appendicolith82108.9
85.2–139.1ROR 109.0 · calibrated p 9e-8 ✓
83.7 EB05 69.5 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=82 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Analgesic therapy5688.2
66.0–117.9ROR 88.3 · calibrated p 5e-7 ✓
70.4 EB05 56.3 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=56 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Drug therapy5785.6
64.3–114.0ROR 85.7 · calibrated p 6e-7 ✓
68.8 EB05 55.1 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=57 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Maternal exposure during delivery16077.9
65.8–92.3ROR 78.1 · calibrated p 8e-7 ✓
64.6 EB05 56.6 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=148 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Toxic anterior segment syndrome17877.2
65.7–90.6ROR 77.5 · calibrated p 8e-7 ✓
64.2 EB05 56.6 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=173not reported in cached trials
Infusion site discharge21857.7
50.1–66.5ROR 57.9 · calibrated p 6e-6 ✓
50.2 EB05 44.8 · IC025 +5.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=187 · ♀ 83% (drug 63%) · 88% consumernot reported in cached trials
Methaemoglobinaemia25148.3
42.4–55.1ROR 48.6 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓
43.0 EB05 38.7 · IC025 +5.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=240 · ♀ 41% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Lagophthalmos4346.2
33.7–63.4ROR 46.2 · calibrated p 3e-5 ✓
40.7 EB05 31.5 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=41 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site mass9639.0
31.6–48.1ROR 39.1 · calibrated p 7e-5 ✓
35.3 EB05 29.8 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=78 · ♀ 85% (drug 63%) · 71% consumernot reported in cached trials
Infusion site bruising17635.6
30.5–41.5ROR 35.7 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
32.6 EB05 28.8 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=138not reported in cached trials
Cauda equina syndrome6335.0
27.1–45.3ROR 35.1 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
31.9 EB05 25.8 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=63 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site pruritus25234.7
30.5–39.5ROR 34.9 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
31.9 EB05 28.7 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=180 · ♀ 88% (drug 63%)not reported in cached trials
Infusion site haemorrhage23931.4
27.5–35.8ROR 31.5 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
29.1 EB05 26.1 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=190 · 74% consumernot reported in cached trials
Anaesthetic complication19430.9
26.7–35.7ROR 31.0 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
28.6 EB05 25.4 · IC025 +4.5
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=167 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Procedural hypotension5426.5
20.1–34.9ROR 26.6 · calibrated p 6e-4 ✓
24.7 EB05 19.7 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=53 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Anaesthetic complication neurological5525.3
19.3–33.3ROR 25.3 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
23.7 EB05 18.9 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=53 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site rash8225.3
20.2–31.6ROR 25.3 · calibrated p 7e-4 ✓
23.7 EB05 19.7 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=58not reported in cached trials
Infusion site swelling36725.0
22.5–27.8ROR 25.2 · calibrated p 7e-4 ✓
23.5 EB05 21.6 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=251not reported in cached trials
Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder6324.5
19.0–31.6ROR 24.6 · calibrated p 9e-4 ✓
23.0 EB05 18.6 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=63not reported in cached trials
Infusion site discomfort5823.7
18.2–30.9ROR 23.8 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
22.3 EB05 17.9 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=48 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Allergic sinusitis4722.8
17.0–30.6ROR 22.8 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
21.4 EB05 16.8 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=43 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%)not reported in cached trials
Infusion site nodule4922.7
17.0–30.3ROR 22.7 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
21.3 EB05 16.8 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Kounis syndrome11120.4
16.8–24.6ROR 20.4 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
19.3 EB05 16.5 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=111 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site warmth5820.0
15.4–26.0ROR 20.0 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
18.9 EB05 15.2 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=40 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Nephrogenic anaemia22219.7
17.2–22.5ROR 19.7 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
18.7 EB05 16.8 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=222not reported in cached trials
Hyperparathyroidism secondary11819.3
16.0–23.2ROR 19.3 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.4 EB05 15.7 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=118not reported in cached trials
Delayed recovery from anaesthesia4419.2
14.2–26.0ROR 19.2 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.2 EB05 14.1 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=38 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site irritation5719.0
14.5–24.7ROR 19.0 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.0 EB05 14.4 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Infusion site erythema35717.7
16.0–19.7ROR 17.9 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
17.0 EB05 15.6 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=239not reported in cached trials
Device infusion issue10517.7
14.5–21.5ROR 17.7 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
16.9 EB05 14.3 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=87 · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Hyperphosphataemia9017.5
14.2–21.6ROR 17.5 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
16.7 EB05 14.0 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=90 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site pain53917.4
16.0–18.9ROR 17.5 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
16.7 EB05 15.5 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications
serious n=356not reported in cached trials
Incorrect drug administration rate17617.1
14.7–19.9ROR 17.2 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
16.4 EB05 14.5 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=150not reported in cached trials
Hyperthermia malignant6016.7
12.9–21.6ROR 16.7 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
15.9 EB05 12.8 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=60 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site extravasation24816.4
14.4–18.6ROR 16.4 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
15.7 EB05 14.2 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=156not reported in cached trials
Retinal vasculitis4515.5
11.5–20.9ROR 15.6 · calibrated p 0.007 ✓
14.8 EB05 11.4 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=45 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (0 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Drug ineffective (drug did not work)3,8251.1
1.1–1.2ROR 1.2 · calibrated p 0.413
1.1 EB05 1.1 · IC025 +0.1Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Pain3,3452.2
2.1–2.2ROR 2.2 · calibrated p 0.935
2.1 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +1.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications
serious PRR 2.1not reported in cached trials
Nausea3,2451.6
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.750
1.6 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.6Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.9not reported in cached trials
Fatigue (tiredness)3,1691.6
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.740
1.6 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.6Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.7not reported in cached trials
Headache2,9151.8
1.8–1.9ROR 1.9 · calibrated p 0.884
1.8 EB05 1.8 · IC025 +0.8Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.0not reported in cached trials
Off label use (used outside approved label)2,7991.3
1.2–1.3ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.502
1.3 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.3Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.4not reported in cached trials
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)2,3531.6
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.755
1.6 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.6Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.5not reported in cached trials
Pneumonia (lung infection)2,1182.6
2.5–2.7ROR 2.7 · calibrated p 0.745
2.6 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.1NCT01401647: 100/993 (10.1%) on Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)2,0971.3
1.2–1.3ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.509
1.3 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.3Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.3not reported in cached trials
Vomiting1,9721.7
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.764
1.7 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.7Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Sinusitis1,9657.7
7.4–8.0ROR 7.9 · calibrated p 0.068
7.5 EB05 7.3 · IC025 +2.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 7.8not reported in cached trials
Dizziness1,8371.5
1.4–1.5ROR 1.5 · calibrated p 0.626
1.5 EB05 1.4 · IC025 +0.5Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Pyrexia (fever)1,8002.1
2.0–2.2ROR 2.1 · calibrated p 0.996
2.1 EB05 2.0 · IC025 +1.0Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.7not reported in cached trials
Fall1,7852.1
2.0–2.2ROR 2.2 · calibrated p 0.968
2.1 EB05 2.0 · IC025 +1.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.7not reported in cached trials
Hypotension (low blood pressure)1,7683.5
3.4–3.7ROR 3.6 · calibrated p 0.461
3.5 EB05 3.4 · IC025 +1.7
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 3.0NCT01401647: 114/993 (11.5%) on Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

✓ A hand-written Bradford Hill causality assessment exists for this drug: Oxycodone Hydrochloride ↔ Drug Dependence.

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate are pain, nausea, fatigue, headache, dyspnoea, pneumonia. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate have an FDA boxed warning?

No. The FDA label retrieved for Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.

Do FAERS signals prove that Lidocaine and Epinephrine Bitartrate causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-14. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.