Lidocaine is classified as which type of medication?

Lidocaine is classified as an antidysrhythmic medication primarily because of its role in treating and preventing abnormal heart rhythms, or dysrhythmias. It works by stabilizing the cardiac membranes and reducing the excitability of cardiac cells. This is especially important in emergency settings, where lidocaine is often used for managing ventricular arrhythmias following a cardiac event.

The mechanism of action involves blocking sodium channels in the cardiac myocytes, which slows down depolarization and conduction in the heart's electrical pathways. This action helps restore normal rhythm and prevent potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.

While lidocaine can also have local anesthetic properties, which might lead to associations with pain relief, its primary pharmacological classification aligns with its use in managing cardiac dysrhythmias, particularly in the context of emergency care. Other classifications such as pain reliever, antibiotic, and NSAID do not accurately describe its primary therapeutic application.