Lidokaïen, as 'n plaaslike verdowing, word gekenmerk deur 'n vinnige aanvang van werking en intermediêre duur van doeltreffendheid. Daarom, lidokaïen is geskik vir infiltrasie, blok- en oppervlaknarkose. Longer-acting substances such as bupivacaine are sometimes given preference for subdural and epidural anesthesias. lidocaine, on the other hand, has the advantage of a rapid onset of action. It can stop Epinephrine (aka adrenaline) vasoconstricts arteries form bleeding, and it can also delays the resorption of lidocaine, almost doubling the duration of anaesthesia. For surface anesthesia several formulations are available that can be used e.g. for endoscopies, before intubations etc. Buffering the pH of lidocaine makes local freezing less painful. Lidocaine drops can be used on the eyes for short ophthalmic procedures.
Topical lidocaine has been shown in some patients to relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia (a complication of shingles), though there is not enough study evidence to recommend it as a first-line treatment. IV lidokaïen het ook gebruike as 'n tydelike oplossing vir tinnitus. Alhoewel dit nie heeltemal die siekte genees nie, daar is getoon dat dit die effekte met ongeveer twee derdes verminder.
Lidokaïenhidrochloriedinspuiting binneaars of binnespiers toegedien, word spesifiek aangedui in die akute hantering van ventrikulêre aritmieë soos dié wat voorkom in verband met akute miokardiale infarksie, of tydens kardiale manipulasie, soos hartchirurgie.
