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Xylocard

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Generic Name: lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride
Product Name: Xylocard

Indication: What Xylocard is used for

Xylocard is used to change an abnormal beat in the heart back to normal.

Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Xylocard and told you what dose you will be given.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained here.

Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.

Xylocard is not addictive.

Action: How Xylocard works

Xylocard belongs to a group of medicines known as antiarrhythmics. It works by slowing nerve impulses and reducing the excitability of the heart.


Lidocaine stabilises all potentially excitable membranes including those of nerve, muscle, and secretory cells. Its depression of electrical activity in membranes of such cells is reversible.

Xylocard 100 solution contains lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride 2% as the active ingredient. It also contains the inactive ingredients sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and water for injections.

Xylocard 500 and Xylocard 1000 solutions contain lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride 10% as the active ingredient. It also contains the inactive ingredients sodium hydroxide and water for injections.

Lidocaine is the new name for lignocaine.

Dose advice: How to use Xylocard

Before you are given Xylocard

When you must not use it

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding do not use Xylocard unless your doctor says so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Lidocaine has been widely used during pregnancy and there have been no reports of any ill effects on the baby.

Your baby can take in very small amounts of lidocaine from breast milk if you are breastfeeding, but it is unlikely that the amount available to the baby will do any harm.


Xylocard will only be used if the solution is clear, the package is undamaged and the use by (expiry) date marked on the pack has not been passed.

Before you are given it

You must tell your doctor if:

  • You have any allergies to:
    • Ingredients listed here;
    • Other antiarrhythmic medicines;
    • Local anaesthetics, e.g. bupivacaine;
    • Other substances.

If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever, difficulty breathing or feel faint.

  • You have any of these medical conditions.
    • A pacemaker;
    • Any other heart problems;
    • Liver problems;
    • Kidney problems;
    • Malignant hyperthermia.

It may not be safe for you to take lidocaine if you have any of these conditions.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including:

  • Ones to control your heartbeat;
  • Ones for blood pressure (antihypertensives);
  • Ones for epilepsy or fits;
  • Cimetidine;
  • Alcohol;
  • Any medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.

These medicines may affect the way lidocaine works.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.


If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you are given any Xylocard.

How Xylocard is given

Xylocard will be injected by your doctor directly into the bloodstream or will be added to fluids given into the vein. This allows it to reach the heart quickly, where it will reduce the excitability of the heart and help return the heartbeat to normal.

The dosage you will be given will depend on your body size, age, and medical condition. Your doctor will have had a lot of experience injecting Xylocard or other antiarrhythmics and will choose the best dose for you. They will be willing to discuss this decision with you.

Overdose

The doctor giving you Xylocard will be experienced in the use of antiarrhythmic drugs, so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose. However, if you are particularly sensitive to Xylocard, you may develop problems such as nervousness, dizziness, blurred vision, tremor or drowsiness.

Whenever you are given Xylocard, equipment will be available to care for you if an overdose happens.

While you are being given it

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery after you have been given Xylocard. You may be drowsy and your reflexes may be slow.

Do not drink alcohol while you are being given Xylocard. If you drink alcohol while you are being given Xylocard your blood pressure may drop, making you feel dizzy and faint.

Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these possibilities if you think they may bother you.

After using it

Storage

Xylocard will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist under the recommended conditions. It should be kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.

Disposal

Any Xylocard from a single dose which is not used will be disposed of in a safe manner by your doctor or pharmacist.

Schedule of Xylocard

Xylocard is a Schedule 4 – prescription only medicine.

Side effects of Xylocard

Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Xylocard.

Xylocard will return abnormal heartbeats back to normal in most people, but it may have unwanted side-effects. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • Drowsiness;
  • Lightheadedness;
  • Nervousness;
  • Dizziness;
  • Feeling strange (disoriented);
  • Blurred vision;
  • Ringing in the ears;
  • Vomiting;
  • Twitching;
  • Tremors;
  • Feeling hot, cold or numb;
  • Difficulty swallowing;
  • Slurred speech.

These are all mild side effects of Xylocard.

If Xylocard is given wrongly, or you are very sensitive to it, it sometimes causes:

  • Fits;
  • Unconsciousness;
  • Breathing problems;
  • Low blood pressure;
  • Slow heartbeat;
  • Collapse;
  • A problem with your blood called methaemoglobinaemia.

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Some people may get other side effects while taking Xylocard. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

For further information talk to your doctor.

References

  1. Xylocard Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). St Leonards, NSW: Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd. August 2017. [PDF]
  2. Xylocard Product Information (PI). St Leonards, NSW: Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd. August 2017. [PDF]

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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 6 March, 2018
Reviewed On: 6 March, 2018


Created by: myVMC