title: Systemic absorption of topical lidocaine in normal volunteers, patients with post-herpetic neuralgia, and patients with acute herpes zoster.
abstract: Topical lidocaine has been recently marketed as a new treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia. The aim of our study was to characterize the absorption profile of and systemic exposure to lidocaine from patch and gel formulations in normal volunteers, patients with post-herpetic neuralgia, and patients with acute herpes zoster. The bioavailability of lidocaine from the patch formulation averaged 3%, and was similar after single and repeated doses. Systemic exposure to lidocaine and monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), the primary active metabolite of lidocaine, after application of lidocaine gel or patches was minimal in normal volunteers, patients with post-herpetic neuralgia, and patients with acute herpes zoster. Considering the benefit versus risk of topical lidocaine, systemic absorption and toxicity of lidocaine seems not to be a significant risk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Drug Delivery and Disposition, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: Pamela Stitzlein
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Peyton
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Neal L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Benowitz
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001682:Biological Availability; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D008012:Lidocaine