Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LIGNOCAINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Lignocaine is a local anaesthetic of the amide type and is widely used by injection and
for local application to mucous membranes. Also a useful surface anaesthetic the base
being used in creams, ointments, suppositories and sprays and the hydrochloride in
solutions and gels. Lignocaine is a class I anti- arrhthymic agent which reduces cardiac
irritability and is given intravenously with ECG monitoring to control ventricular
arrhythmias following myocardial infarction or general anaesthesia during cardiac
catherisation and open- heart surgery or after overdose with digoxin or a sympathomimetic
agent.

SYNONYMS

C14-H22-N2-O, "alpha-diethylaminoaceto-2, 6-xylidide", "alpha-diethylaminoaceto-2, 6-
xylidide", "alpha-diethylamino-2, 6-acetoxylidide", "alpha-diethylamino-2, 6-
acetoxylidide", "diethylaminoaceto-2, 6-xylidide", "diethylaminoaceto-2, 6-xylidide", "2-
(diethylamino)-2', 6'-acetoxylidide", "2-(diethylamino)-2', 6'-acetoxylidide", Duncaine,
Gravocaine, Isicaina, Isicaine, Leostesin, Lida-Mantle, Lidocaine, Maricaine, Mesocain

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Systemic toxicity due to local anesthetics may be manifested by yawning, restlessness, excitement, ringing sound in the ear, nausea and vomiting. Early warning signs are numbness of the tongue and around the mouth region. Local anesthetics may affect the heart, depressing the heart muscle, dilating the peripheral blood vessels and causing low blood pressure and a slow heart rate.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  Direct eye contact with local anesthetics may reduce sensation in the eyes and increase the risk of injury due to foreign bodies. There may be drying of the cornea, a burning sensation, excessive tears, sensitivity to light, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva and increased blinking. Absorption into the body can cause degeneration of the optic nerve, leading to blindness.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  When applied to the skin, local anesthetics can cause burning, stinging, tenderness, redness, sloughing, blisters and tissue death. There may be skin eruptions caused by simultaneous exposure to light.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Inhalation of local anesthetics may result in upper respiratory tract effects including burning sensation, stinging, tenderness, swelling, sloughing, tissue necrosis and irritation. Systemic poisoning is characterized by lightheadedness, nervousness, apprehension, euphoria, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, tinnitus, blurred or double vision, vomiting and sensations of heat, cold or numbness, twitching, tremors, convulsions, unconsciousness and respiratory depression and arrest. Cardiac arrest may result from cardiovascular collapse. Bradycardia, and hypotension may also be produced. Excessive application to mucous membranes has been associated with methemoglobinemia producing a cyanosis.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Repeated or prolonged exposure with local anesthetics may result in sensitization of skin,  with the development of lesions, hives and edema. There may be anaphylactic reactions that may cause death. Prolonged eye contact may result in permanent clouding of the cornea with loss of vision, severe corneal inflammation and possible perforation.  Methaemoglobin may be formed following administration of the substance;  cyanosis was evident within 9 hours in a patient receiving a continous  epidural block, containing 1.5% lignocaine, during pregnancy.