I have a friend who thinks that he can stick like 20 patches on himself, and leave them on for longer than the recommended time. I myself think that this is just a cry for help and that these patches are a non-lethal way of attempting suicide. He told me "At my weight 20 patches will do the trick". He weighs roughly about 300 pounds. If someone has the medical expertise to tell me if this is possible that would be great. He has been threatening for a while now and I need to know how soon I need to act. I think he is collecting them.
2007-12-03 10:51:20 · 4 answers · asked by andream_1_9_8_2 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Lidocaine toxicity occurs at 50 mg/kg. Toxicity would result in a brief seizure. A 5% lidoderm patch contains 700 mg of lidocaine, however only 2 - 3 % is absorbed, and 95% would remain in the patch. For your 300 lb. or 135 kg. friend to get toxic, he would need 675 mg of lidocaine intravenous for a seizure. 3% of a 700 mg patch is 21 mg, so 20 patches would yield 420 mg, not enough to "do the trick." Even if he had enough, the seizure would probably not be fatal.
More disturbing is his suicide gesture. Some people who have suicide ideation may inadvertently do permanent damage or even be successful in suicide when it wasn't completely intended.
2007-12-03 11:21:24 · answer #1 · answered by rod85 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am friends with a drug rep for Endo Pharm, who makes Lidoderm, which is Lidocaine Patches. And he told me the other day of a person who did commit suicide on these patches. She placed 80 of them on herself, and subsequently died, her doctors weren't surprised when they heard about it because she had a history of suicidal behavior.
I would take this threat seriously, if not for suicide, atleast for a cry for help. 20 patches is a lot. It is not recommended that Lidoderm be worn for over 12 hours because it can become toxic. I think he is definitely crying out for help, and needs someone to come to his aide.
2007-12-03 18:59:33 · answer #2 · answered by i take the blame 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honestly don't know if someone can overdose with lidocaine patches...but to answer your other question, you should act now. Regardless of whether he will severely harm himself, the fact that he wants to is reason enough to intervene. Be a good friend, and help him when he can't help himself.
2007-12-03 19:02:09 · answer #3 · answered by Ajay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At his weight, he'd probably need to cover himself head to toe!
I've never seen anyone purposefully OD on lidocaine patches, and I doubt that it would be successful.
2007-12-03 18:55:40 · answer #4 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋