Lidocaine classification?

What is lidocaine classified as (drug class)?

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic and an antiarrhythmic medication. It blocks voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve membranes, which reduces pain signaling and can also stabilize cardiac electrical activity.

How is lidocaine classified by use (local anesthetic vs antiarrhythmic)?

• As a local anesthetic: lidocaine is used to numb tissue for procedures (for example, dental work, minor surgical procedures, and topical numbing products).
  
• As an antiarrhythmic: lidocaine is used in certain abnormal heart rhythms, classically ventricular arrhythmias, where it helps suppress ectopic electrical activity.
  
  

What “class” is lidocaine in cardiac rhythm terms?

In cardiology drug classification, lidocaine is typically grouped as a Class 1B antiarrhythmic (a sodium-channel blocker).

Does lidocaine’s formulation change its classification?

The underlying mechanism classification does not change: it remains a sodium-channel–blocking local anesthetic. What changes with different formulations is the route of administration and intended clinical use (topical/local numbing vs injection for anesthesia vs IV use for arrhythmias).