XYLOCARD (chlorhydrate de lidocaïne)

Key points  

Favourable opinion for reimbursement in perioperative analgesia for laparoscopic or open abdominal surgery (such as colorectal surgery, prostatectomy, cholecystectomy). 

 What therapeutic improvement? 

No clinical added value in the therapeutic strategy. 

 Role in the care pathway? 

The current management of postoperative and recovery pain is based on the establishment of protocols of treatments with multi-modal analgesic regimen comprising non-morphine analgesics and/or loco-regional analgesia in order to allow postoperative morphine sparing.  

The use of opioids (in particular morphine) may be considered in the event of severe postoperative pain or in the event of inadequate pain relief using non-opioid analgesics. The opioids used for postoperative analgesia are associated with numerous dose-dependent adverse effects, in particular nausea, vomiting, constipation, hyperalgesia, which may delay postoperative recovery and increase postoperative ileus. They can also cause opioid dependence.  

Thoracic epidural analgesia is considered to be the reference in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery to improve postoperative recovery. However, this practice is not devoid of risks (postoperative hypotension, urinary retention, etc.) and is contraindicated in certain situations. 

Another proprietary medicinal product based on lidocaine for injection is currently authorised in the prevention of postoperative pain, in particular to accelerate the resumption of intestinal transit following abdominal surgery: LIDOCAINE AGUETTANT 10 mg/ml PRESERVATIVE-FREE solution for injection. 

Role of the medicinal product in the care pathway

XYLOCARD 20 mg/ml INTRAVENOUS (lidocaine hydrochloride) is a first-line treatment in perioperative analgesia for laparoscopic or open abdominal surgery (such as colorectal surgery, prostatectomy, cholecystectomy). 

The Committee highlights the risk of adverse effects with intravenous lidocaine, particularly in the event of bolus administration. 

The Committee points out that, in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC), continuous infusion of intravenous lidocaine should be stopped at the end of the surgical procedure. If infusion needs to be continued postoperatively (in the postoperative recovery room, intensive care or high-dependency unit), patient must be maintained under continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, without exceeding a period of 24 hours after surgery. 

 Recommendations 

The Committee highlights the fact that, unlike the proprietary medicinal product LIDOCAINE AGUETTANT containing 10 mg/ml, the strength of the proprietary medicinal product XYLOCARD INTRAVENOUS (lidocaine hydrochloride) in this indication is 20 mg/ml. 

Only this 20 mg/ml strength is concerned by this indication. The XYLOCARD INTRAVEINOUS (lidocaine hydrochloride) 50 mg/ml strength currently available is only authorised in the treatment and prevention of recurrences of ventricular rhythm disorders.