Lidocaine is an anesthetic medicine that is most often used to numb an area of the body before a minor surgical procedure. Sometimes, a 4% lidocaine solution is used as nose drops to stop cluster headaches.

Lidocaine works to stop a cluster headache in about 3 out of 10 people who use it.¹

The medicine is placed into the nostril on the same side as the headache. It can be repeated 15 minutes later, if needed.¹ Side effects can include a burning sensation or numbness in the nose.

This medicine is available only by prescription. This medicine may be used to treat cluster headaches when other medicines have not helped.