What Is Lidocaine ointment USP 5 used for?

Daily Med says that lidocaine ointment is indicated for inducing anesthesia of the mouth and throat in order to perform minor medical procedures such as intubation. The ointment can also be used to relieve the pain of burns, abrasions and insect bites.

The ointment contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic. When applied to mucous membranes or injured skin, it induces a rapid-onset temporary numbness. Care should be taken when it's used in the mouth or on the tongue to avoid accidentally biting the tongue or aspirating fluids, according to Daily Med. The drug should not be applied too frequently or to a large area of damaged skin, because rapid, excessive systematic absorption of the drug may occur.