Lidocaine in ion therapy is described as which?

Lidocaine in ion therapy is described as which?

• A. Negatively charged, used to treat pain
• B. Positively charged, used to treat pain and inflammation
• C. Neutral, used to promote healing
• D. Positively charged, used to treat inflammation

Answer: (B)

Iontophoresis relies on the electrical charge of a drug to push it through the skin. Lidocaine is given as lidocaine hydrochloride, which is a positively charged salt. That positive charge makes it a cation, so the drug is driven into underlying tissues by the electric field. Because lidocaine is a local anesthetic, its primary effect is to block nerve conduction and relieve pain; this reduction in pain often helps with inflammation in the treated area, so it’s described as treating both pain and inflammation. In short, lidocaine used this way is positively charged and aimed at pain relief (with inflammatory symptoms improved as a result of analgesia).

Iontophoresis relies on the electrical charge of a drug to push it through the skin. Lidocaine is given as lidocaine hydrochloride, which is a positively charged salt. That positive charge makes it a cation, so the drug is driven into underlying tissues by the electric field. Because lidocaine is a local anesthetic, its primary effect is to block nerve conduction and relieve pain; this reduction in pain often helps with inflammation in the treated area, so it’s described as treating both pain and inflammation. In short, lidocaine used this way is positively charged and aimed at pain relief (with inflammatory symptoms improved as a result of analgesia).