Intranasal lidocaine for headache

Lidocaine is an anesthetic medicine that is most often used to numb an area of the body before a minor surgical procedure. Sometimes, a 4% lidocaine solution is used as nose drops to stop cluster headaches.

Lidocaine works to stop a cluster headache in about 3 out of 10 people who use it.¹

The medicine is placed into the nostril on the same side as the headache. It can be repeated 15 minutes later, if needed.¹ Side effects can include a burning sensation or numbness in the nose.

This medicine is available only by prescription. This medicine may be used to treat cluster headaches when other medicines have not helped.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 11, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
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