Lidocaine, also known as
xylocaine and
lignocaine, is a medication used to
numb tissue in a specific area and to treat
ventricular tachycardia. It can also be used for
nerve blocks. Lidocaine mixed with a small amount of
epinephrine is available to allow larger doses to be used as numbing and to make it last longer. When used as an injectable it typically begins working within four minutes and lasts for half an hour to three hours. Lidocaine may also be applied directly to the skin for numbing.