Hello I am dentist, and I would like to inquire about the effect of lidocaine when a patient has liver disease. Lidocaine is metabolized by liver, and with liver dysfunction, half-life of Lidocaine will be prolonged. Will that lead to Lidocaine toxicity or other systemic condition? Dr. AJ
Dear Chat Doctor. Lidocaine clearance is reduced in patients with liver disease and appears to be a sensitive index of liver dysfunction. The average elimination half-life of Lidocaine may be increased from 1.6 hours in normal patients to more than 6 hours in patients with severe liver disease this will lead to the systemic toxicity which is more commonly seen following inadvertent intravascular injection or absorption of the local anesthetic from the site of administration. The systemic side effects that can occur due to toxic doses of Lidocaine include