← All drugs
Drug · FAERS side-effect profile with label screen

Lidocaine and Epinephrine side effects: what 48,700 FDA adverse event reports show

Lidocaine Hydrochloride And Epinephrine · 1,193 reaction terms · 217,432 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
Share: X Facebook Reddit Email

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

48,700 reports · 73% serious · 4,966 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 8Not in label — unassessed 29
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). 1,153 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 decreased84189.3
146.4–244.8ROR 189.7 · calibrated p 1e-9 ✓
127.4 EB05 106.1 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=84 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Sleep disorder therapy55180.7
131.8–247.7ROR 180.9 · calibrated p 2e-9 ✓
121.7 EB05 97.0 · IC025 +5.4
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=55 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Appendicolith81116.7
91.3–149.3ROR 116.9 · calibrated p 5e-8 ✓
89.9 EB05 74.6 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=81 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Analgesic therapy5594.0
70.2–125.8ROR 94.1 · calibrated p 3e-7 ✓
75.2 EB05 59.9 · IC025 +5.1
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=55 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Drug therapy5589.3
66.8–119.4ROR 89.4 · calibrated p 4e-7 ✓
72.1 EB05 57.5 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=55 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Maternal exposure during delivery15380.4
67.7–95.6ROR 80.7 · calibrated p 6e-7 ✓
67.2 EB05 58.7 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=142 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Toxic anterior segment syndrome16878.5
66.6–92.5ROR 78.8 · calibrated p 8e-7 ✓
65.9 EB05 58.0 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=163not reported in cached trials
Infusion site discharge21762.5
54.2–72.1ROR 62.8 · calibrated p 3e-6 ✓
54.4 EB05 48.5 · IC025 +5.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=186 · ♀ 84% (drug 63%) · 88% consumernot reported in cached trials
Methaemoglobinaemia24551.2
44.9–58.5ROR 51.5 · calibrated p 1e-5 ✓
45.7 EB05 41.1 · IC025 +5.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=234 · ♀ 41% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Lagophthalmos4350.3
36.7–69.0ROR 50.4 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓
44.3 EB05 34.2 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=41 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site mass9542.0
34.0–51.8ROR 42.1 · calibrated p 5e-5 ✓
38.0 EB05 32.0 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=77 · ♀ 85% (drug 63%) · 72% consumernot reported in cached trials
Infusion site bruising17638.8
33.2–45.2ROR 38.9 · calibrated p 7e-5 ✓
35.5 EB05 31.3 · IC025 +4.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=138not reported in cached trials
Infusion site pruritus25237.8
33.2–43.0ROR 38.0 · calibrated p 7e-5 ✓
34.7 EB05 31.3 · IC025 +4.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=180 · ♀ 88% (drug 63%)not reported in cached trials
Infusion site haemorrhage23834.1
29.9–38.9ROR 34.2 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
31.5 EB05 28.3 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=189 · 75% consumernot reported in cached trials
Cauda equina syndrome4929.1
21.8–38.8ROR 29.1 · calibrated p 4e-4 ✓
27.0 EB05 21.2 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=49 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Procedural hypotension5227.8
21.0–36.7ROR 27.8 · calibrated p 5e-4 ✓
25.9 EB05 20.5 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=51 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site rash8227.5
22.0–34.4ROR 27.6 · calibrated p 5e-4 ✓
25.8 EB05 21.4 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=58not reported in cached trials
Infusion site swelling36727.2
24.5–30.3ROR 27.4 · calibrated p 4e-4 ✓
25.6 EB05 23.5 · IC025 +4.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=251not reported in cached trials
Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder6226.3
20.3–33.9ROR 26.3 · calibrated p 6e-4 ✓
24.6 EB05 19.9 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=62not reported in cached trials
Foetal exposure during delivery3925.9
18.8–35.8ROR 26.0 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
24.3 EB05 18.5 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=38 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site discomfort5825.8
19.8–33.7ROR 25.9 · calibrated p 7e-4 ✓
24.2 EB05 19.4 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=48 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Anaesthetic complication neurological5024.9
18.7–33.1ROR 24.9 · calibrated p 9e-4 ✓
23.4 EB05 18.5 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=48 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site nodule4924.7
18.5–33.0ROR 24.7 · calibrated p 9e-4 ✓
23.2 EB05 18.3 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Anaesthetic complication14324.3
20.5–28.7ROR 24.4 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
23.0 EB05 20.0 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=125 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site warmth5821.8
16.7–28.3ROR 21.8 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
20.6 EB05 16.5 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=40 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Kounis syndrome10821.6
17.8–26.1ROR 21.6 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
20.5 EB05 17.4 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=108 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site irritation5720.6
15.8–26.9ROR 20.7 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
19.6 EB05 15.7 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=35 · ♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Infusion site discolouration3920.4
14.8–28.1ROR 20.4 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
19.3 EB05 14.7 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed♀ 100% (drug 63%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Nephrogenic anaemia20920.1
17.5–23.1ROR 20.2 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
19.2 EB05 17.1 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=209not reported in cached trials
Hyperparathyroidism secondary11019.5
16.1–23.6ROR 19.6 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
18.6 EB05 15.9 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=110not reported in cached trials
Infusion site erythema35719.3
17.4–21.5ROR 19.5 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
18.5 EB05 17.0 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=239not reported in cached trials
Device infusion issue10519.2
15.8–23.4ROR 19.3 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.4 EB05 15.6 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=87 · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Infusion site pain53818.9
17.3–20.6ROR 19.1 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
18.1 EB05 16.9 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications
serious n=355not reported in cached trials
Incorrect drug administration rate17618.7
16.0–21.7ROR 18.7 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
17.9 EB05 15.8 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=150not reported in cached trials
Hyperphosphataemia8718.4
14.8–22.8ROR 18.4 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
17.6 EB05 14.7 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=87 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Infusion site extravasation24517.6
15.5–20.0ROR 17.7 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
16.9 EB05 15.2 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=153not reported in cached trials
Administration site pain4316.9
12.5–22.9ROR 16.9 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
16.1 EB05 12.4 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed♀ 100% (drug 63%)not reported in cached trials
Vasoplegia syndrome6016.6
12.8–21.4ROR 16.6 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
15.9 EB05 12.7 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=60 · ♀ 0% (drug 63%) · 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 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)3,6371.2
1.2–1.2ROR 1.2 · calibrated p 0.443
1.2 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.2Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.7not reported in cached trials
Pain3,1702.2
2.2–2.3ROR 2.3 · calibrated p 0.899
2.2 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications
serious PRR 2.2not reported in cached trials
Fatigue (tiredness)3,0401.7
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.789
1.7 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.7Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.8not reported in cached trials
Nausea3,0301.7
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.769
1.7 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.7Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.9not reported in cached trials
Headache2,8021.9
1.9–2.0ROR 2.0 · calibrated p 0.937
1.9 EB05 1.9 · IC025 +0.9Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.1not reported in cached trials
Off label use (used outside approved label)2,6111.3
1.2–1.3ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.516
1.3 EB05 1.3 · IC025 +0.3Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.4not reported in cached trials
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)2,1691.7
1.6–1.7ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.759
1.7 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.7Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Pneumonia (lung infection)2,0012.7
2.6–2.8ROR 2.7 · calibrated p 0.715
2.7 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.2NCT01401647: 100/993 (10.1%) on Lidocaine and Epinephrine
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)1,9691.3
1.3–1.4ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.530
1.3 EB05 1.3 · IC025 +0.3Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.3not reported in cached trials
Sinusitis1,9398.3
7.9–8.6ROR 8.6 · calibrated p 0.054
8.1 EB05 7.8 · IC025 +2.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 8.5not reported in cached trials
Vomiting1,8411.7
1.6–1.8ROR 1.7 · calibrated p 0.782
1.7 EB05 1.6 · IC025 +0.7Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Product dose omission issue1,7182.6
2.5–2.7ROR 2.7 · calibrated p 0.746
2.6 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.3
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 6.1not reported in cached trials
Fall1,7132.2
2.1–2.3ROR 2.3 · calibrated p 0.918
2.2 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.8not reported in cached trials
Dizziness1,6981.5
1.4–1.5ROR 1.5 · calibrated p 0.633
1.5 EB05 1.4 · IC025 +0.5Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.6not reported in cached trials
Death1,6790.8
0.8–0.9ROR 0.8 · calibrated p 0.203
0.8 EB05 0.8 · IC025 -0.3
PRR-only: not supported by EBGM or IC
Outcome field, not a reactionserious PRR 0.7not reported in cached trials

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?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Lidocaine and Epinephrine are pain, fatigue, nausea, 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 have an FDA boxed warning?

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

Do FAERS signals prove that Lidocaine and Epinephrine 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.