Lidocaine (Ralvo) Medicated Plasters
As a Health and Social Care Partnership we are committed to ensuring that we prescribe effective and safe treatments. We provide regular reviews for patients who are taking medications long term.
Lidocaine plasters are licensed only for the short-term treatment of post herpetic pain – that is pain that occurs following shingles infection. It is also used to treat other types of pain, but this use is unlicensed.
This means that the long-term safety of using this product has not been established.
There is very little evidence that lidocaine plasters work for nerve or other types of pain.
Therefore, following new guidance issued by NHSGGC Health Board after the review of the cost- effectiveness of this medication, there is a recommendation to reduce and discontinue the use of these lidocaine patches.
Use of the plasters often causes desensitisation of the nerve endings meaning continued use is unnecessary and many patients have found that discontinuing these plasters has led to no worsening of their pain control.
Anyone receiving these plasters who feels they need some extra help when discontinuing these patches should please contact the practice who will organise an appointment with the pharmacist who will give advice on how to manage their pain. We can also signpost to alternative resources for pain management.
Lidocaine plasters will be removed from repeat prescription list for request. Anyone who feels the need to continue on these plasters should please contact the practice who will organise a conversation with the pharmacist.
The following links are excellent resources for anyone living with chronic pain: