Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The emergency department treatment of dyspepsia with antacids and oral lidocaine.
The treatment of dyspepsia in the emergency department often consists of antacid in combination with viscous lidocaine, even though the specific etiology of the pain is frequently unknown. The efficacy of lidocaine as a component of symptomatic therapy was evaluated in a randomized, patient-blinded protocol. Patients presenting to the ED with dyspeptic symptoms were randomized to receive 30 mL of antacid (Mylanta II), or 30 mL of antacid plus 15 mL of 2% viscous lidocaine (GI cocktail). ⋯ Assessment of pain relief using a five-point rating scale also indicated greater relief with GI cocktail therapy compared with antacid alone (P = .004). No adverse effects were noted with either treatment. We conclude that a single dose of antacid and viscous lidocaine provides a significantly greater degree of immediate pain relief than antacid alone in patients with dyspepsia.