Briefing Note - lidocaine 5% medicated plaster (Versatis)

SMC has accepted lidocaine 5% medicated plaster for restricted use in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection (post-herpetic neuralgia) in patients for whom first-line systemic therapies are not effective or tolerated.

• Post-herpetic neuralgia is the name given to pain which may develop due to damage to the nerves in the skin after a person has had shingles.
• Lidocaine plasters contain a local anaesthetic (a type of drug that reduces sensation) to relieve pain in the skin.
• A study suggests that lidocaine plasters are at least as effective at reducing pain as one other drug used for post-herpetic neuralgia.
• The amount of lidocaine which enters the body from the plasters is low so there are few side effects.
• SMC accepted lidocaine plasters for restricted use within NHSScotland because it offers an alternative to existing treatments, has few side effects and offers reasonable value for money