A new study finds that intravenous lidocaine infusions can meaningfully reduce chronic pain in the short to medium term. Among 112 patients followed up at 3 months, average pain scores dropped from 8.0 to 4.5, and 85% said they'd recommend the treatment. Side effects were mild, and no serious events were reported.
A retrospective study out of a UK hospital suggests that intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusions could be a viable option for patients battling hard-to-treat chronic pain. Researchers analyzed outcomes from 136 adults with refractory chronic pain — including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and neuropathic pain syndromes — who received a single 1-hour infusion of lidocaine at 3 mg/kg. At roughly 3 months post-treatment, 112 patients completed follow-up, reporting significant improvements in pain scores and high overall satisfaction.
The results were encouraging: mean pain scores dropped from 8.0 at baseline to 4.5 at 2 months — a clinically meaningful reduction. Side effects were reported in only 17% of patients, all mild and self-resolving, with no serious events like arrhythmias or seizures.
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Why it matters: Chronic pain affects millions and remains notoriously difficult to manage. IV lidocaine offers a potentially safe, short-to-medium-term option for patients who haven't responded to conventional therapies — though larger, controlled trials are needed to confirm long-term benefits.
