Lidocaine plasters – information for patients

24 October 2025

NHS guidance states that GPs should not routinely prescribe some medicines. This is because the medicines are:

  • Not as safe as other medicines OR
  • Not as good (effective) as other medicines OR
  • More expensive than other medicines that do the same thing.

One of these medicines is lidocaine plasters.

Lidocaine medicated plasters are also known as Versatis® or Ralvo® patches. This information explains why the changes are happening and where you can find more details and support.

What are lidocaine plasters used for?

Lidocaine plasters are applied to the skin and are used for the relief of nerve pain, which can happen after a shingles infection in adults. Lidocaine plasters are sometimes used for other types of pain relief.

Why does the NHS want to reduce prescribing of lidocaine plasters?

There is very little evidence that lidocaine plasters work for nerve pain, especially compared to other treatments. They are also very expensive compared to other pain treatments and are not good value for money. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not make a recommendation about lidocaine plasters for treating nerve pain because there is not enough evidence to do so. There is no good evidence that they work for other types of pain.

The NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside has decided that Lidocaine patches should no longer be routinely prescribed by GPs. This decision has been agreed with local hospitals and pain specialists. Research shows that these patches don’t work well for most types of pain and are not the best use of NHS resources. 

What should I do when my lidocaine patches are stopped?

It’s safe to stop using Lidocaine patches straight away. We understand you might worry about your pain getting worse. However, many people find that their pain doesn’t change much after stopping the patches.

Other ways to manage your pain:

  • Gentle exercise or stretching
  • Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness
  • Applying heat or cold to the painful area.

Need more help?

You might find these organisations helpful:

If your pain gets worse after stopping the patches you can speak with your GP or pharmacist, who can talk to you about other ways to help manage your pain, including different treatments or medications.