Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million Americans and causing more than seven million physician visits per year. Recent studies have shown the pain transmission pathways for osteoarthritis may have similarities to those associated with neuropathic pain conditions. Now, new data presented at the American Pain Society's annual meeting suggest Endo Pharmaceutical's Lidoderm (lidocaine patch 5 per cent), a targeted topical analgesic patch indicated to treat neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia, may be effective in reducing osteoarthritis pain.

Lidoderm has not been approved by the FDA for any indications other than for the relief of pain associated with PHN, and its safety and efficacy in other indications have not been established.

Lidoderm (lidocaine patch 5 per cent) is FDA-approved for the relief of pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Lidoderm produces an analgesic effect by the penetration of lidocaine from the patch into the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, without loss of sensation or numbness.