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Can expired lidocaine be used?

Oct 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Lidocaine is commonly available in injectable form. Generally, expired lidocaine should not be used. Before using lidocaine, carefully check the expiration date and ensure the medication is within its validity period and appears normal. If the drug has expired or shows any abnormalities, it should be discarded immediately; do not use it out of侥幸心理 (reckless hope). Store the medication according to the instructions provided in the package insert.

　Lidocaine is commonly available in injectable form. Generally, expired lidocaine should not be used. The detailed explanation is as follows:

　The efficacy of expired lidocaine may significantly decrease or even become completely ineffective, failing to achieve the expected local anesthesia or pain relief effect. This could result in noticeable pain during treatment and interfere with the procedure. Moreover, after expiration, the chemical composition of the drug may change, potentially generating unknown harmful substances. These substances may cause adverse reactions such as local redness, swelling, itching, or allergic responses upon entering the body. In severe cases, they might damage internal organs and increase health risks; therefore, expired lidocaine must not be used.

　Before using lidocaine, it is essential to carefully check the drug's expiration date and confirm that it is within the valid period and that the appearance of the medication is normal. If the medication is found to be expired or abnormal in any way, it should be immediately discarded—do not use it out of侥幸 (false hope). When storing the medication, always follow the instructions provided to avoid premature degradation due to improper storage, thus ensuring medication safety.

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