What is the only FDA-approved use of lidocaine patches?

Lidocaine patches are specifically approved by the FDA for the management of post-herpetic neuralgia, which is a painful condition that follows an outbreak of shingles caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The formulation of lidocaine in a transdermal patch allows for localized delivery of the medication, providing analgesia directly at the site of pain while minimizing systemic absorption and potential side effects.

In the case of post-herpetic neuralgia, patients experience pain in the dermatome where the shingles occurred, and lidocaine patches work effectively to reduce this pain. The FDA's approval for this specific indication is based on clinical trials demonstrating efficacy in relieving the neuropathic pain associated with this condition.

While lidocaine can be applied in various contexts relating to pain management, the approval for use with lidocaine patches is not extended to generalized chronic pain relief, muscle strains, or back pain. These conditions may be managed with other treatments or medications, but they do not have the same specific indication for lidocaine patches as seen with post-herpetic neuralgia.