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Versatis 700mg Lidocaine Medicated Plaster
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Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is a UK Prescription Only Medicine for the symptomatic relief of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults.
Each 10cm x 14cm plaster contains 700mg of lidocaine in a soft hydrogel layer that diffuses local anaesthetic into the skin over 12 hours while physically cushioning the painful area.
Up to three plasters can be used at once, applied to intact healed skin once daily for up to 12 hours, followed by at least a 12-hour plaster-free interval.
Available from Courier Pharmacy after a quick online consultation reviewed by a UK-qualified prescriber, with pharmacist support after you order.
. This allowsProduct description Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
A licensed lidocaine plaster for post-herpetic neuralgia
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is a UK Prescription Only Medicine. It is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain following shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN) in adults.
Each plaster is a 10cm x 14cm soft hydrogel patch containing 700mg of lidocaine. This is equivalent to 5% weight-for-weight, applied directly to the painful, healed skin area once daily.
The plaster is manufactured by Grünenthal Pharma Ltd and supplied in cartons of 30 plasters via re-sealable sachets of five.
A topical neuropathic pain treatment with a clear evidence base
Lidocaine is one of the most familiar local anaesthetics in modern medicine. However, the medicated plaster format is more sophisticated than it might first appear.
The hydrogel layer holds lidocaine in close, continuous contact with the skin over 12 hours. This allows a slow, sustained diffusion into the upper dermis where the small sensory nerve fibres responsible for PHN pain are located. The same hydrogel layer physically cushions the painful area, which matters more than it sounds.
For many patients with PHN, even the lightest touch of clothing or bedding can trigger pain (a phenomenon called allodynia), and the plaster’s protective effect is part of what makes it useful.
Where Versatis sits in PHN treatment
Where Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster really earns its place is in patients with localised post-herpetic neuralgia, where the pain is confined to a specific area of skin and where standard oral neuropathic pain treatments (amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine) either haven’t worked, haven’t been tolerated, or aren’t appropriate.
NICE guidance on neuropathic pain in adults recognises lidocaine medicated plasters as an option for focal neuropathic pain, particularly in patients who can’t take, or would rather avoid, systemic oral neuropathic agents.
The systemic exposure from Versatis is very low (around 3% of the applied dose). This is why it is often considered for older patients, frail patients, and patients with significant polypharmacy where systemic neuropathic agents carry an unacceptable burden.
Key features and specifications
Active ingredient: lidocaine 700mg per plaster (equivalent to 5% w/w)
Form: white hydrogel medicated plaster on a non-woven polyethylene terephthalate backing
Size: 10 cm x 14 cm per plaster
Pack size: 30 plasters (six sachets of 5 plasters)
Legal category: Prescription Only Medicine (POM)
Licensed indication: symptomatic relief of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults
Application: once daily for up to 12 hours, followed by at least a 12-hour plaster-free interval
Maximum use: up to three plasters at the same time
Treatment review: at 2 to 4 weeks; stop if no response
Manufacturer: Grünenthal Pharma Ltd
Available from Courier Pharmacy after online consultation
Additional information
Quantity
1 x 30, 2 x 30, 3 x 30
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A grown-up, evidence-led guide to the UK’s only licensed lidocaine medicated plaster for post-herpetic neuralgia, written for adults who’d rather understand exactly how a 12-hours-on, 12-hours-off topical treatment is supposed to work than guess at it.
If you’ve come through a shingles episode and the rash has long since healed, but the burning, tingling, or shooting pain hasn’t, you’re in the territory of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). It’s a neuropathic pain syndrome that can persist for months or years after the original infection, and it’s notoriously difficult to treat with standard painkillers because the underlying problem is nerve sensitisation rather than inflammation.
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is the UK’s only licensed lidocaine 5% medicated plaster, designed to deliver local anaesthetic directly to the painful skin area, while a soft hydrogel layer helps cushion hypersensitivity that even a shirt collar can trigger.
At Courier Pharmacy, we treat neuropathic pain prescribing the way we treat any long-term condition: with a real conversation, a real prescriber, and real follow-up. Pain management built around you, not the other way round.
Five key takeaways
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is a UK Prescription Only Medicine licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults.
Each 10cm x 14cm plaster contains 700mg of lidocaine (5% w/w) in a soft hydrogel layer that diffuses lidocaine into the skin while physically cushioning the painful area.
The plaster is applied to intact, healed skin once daily for up to 12 hours, followed by a mandatory plaster-free interval of at least 12 hours. A maximum of three plasters can be used at the same time.
Treatment outcome should be reviewed at 2 to 4 weeks; if there has been no response, treatment must be discontinued, because long-term use without benefit is not appropriate.
The most common side effects are mild, local skin reactions at the application site (burning, redness, itching, rash); systemic side effects are uncommon because only around 3% of the applied lidocaine reaches the bloodstream.
Treatment dosage Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Standard adult dosing
The standard dose for adults and older patients is to cover the painful area with one or more plasters once daily, for up to 12 hours within any 24-hour period. A plaster-free interval of at least 12 hours is mandatory between applications. Up to a maximum of three plasters may be used at the same time, and only the number of plasters needed to cover the painful area should be used. Plasters can be cut to smaller sizes with scissors before the release liner is removed.
When to apply
The plaster can be applied during the day or at night, depending on when the pain is worst and which fits best with your routine. Many patients with PHN report worse pain in the evening or overnight, so a 7 pm to 7 am application is common; others find daytime application more useful if the pain interferes with work or activity. The 12-hour-on / 12-hour-off pattern is not optional, and applies regardless of when in the 24-hour day the on-period falls.
Skin preparation
The plaster must be applied to intact, dry, non-irritated skin (after the shingles rash has fully healed). Hairs in the affected area should be cut with scissors rather than shaved, to avoid disturbing the skin barrier. Apply the plaster immediately after removing it from the sachet and after peeling off the release liner from the gel surface.
Renal, hepatic, and elderly dosing
In patients with mild or moderate renal or hepatic impairment, no dose adjustment is required, but the plaster should be used with caution in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment. Elderly patients are commonly treated; there is no specific elderly dose adjustment, although elderly skin tolerability should be reviewed at the early follow-up point.
Reviewing the response at 2 to 4 weeks
The treatment outcome must be reviewed at 2 to 4 weeks. If there has been no useful response after this period, either during the wearing time or during the plaster-free interval, treatment must be discontinued. This isn’t bureaucratic. Long-term lidocaine plaster use without clinical benefit isn’t appropriate, partly because of the genotoxic potential of one of lidocaine’s metabolites (2,6-xylidine) seen in animal studies. If you have responded, treatment should be reassessed at regular intervals to see whether the number of plasters can be reduced or the plaster-free period extended.
Children
The safety and efficacy of Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster in patients under 18 has not been established, and it is not recommended for use in this age group.
Overview of Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Five key facts
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is the only licensed lidocaine 5% medicated plaster in the UK, specifically for post-herpetic neuralgia in adults.
It works by both pharmacological action (lidocaine diffusion into the skin) and mechanical action (the hydrogel layer cushions the hypersensitive area).
Only around 3% of the applied lidocaine reaches the bloodstream, which is why systemic side effects are uncommon, and serious systemic toxicity is rare with correct use.
Treatment effect should be reviewed at 2 to 4 weeks; ongoing use is only justified where there is a clear, demonstrable benefit.
The plaster is part of a wider neuropathic pain toolkit, and is often combined with or considered alongside oral neuropathic pain medicines such as amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine, with prescriber oversight.
Why PHN needs a specific approach
Post-herpetic neuralgia is one of the most common chronic complications of shingles. It typically presents as persistent, burning, shooting, or stinging pain in the area where the shingles rash appeared, often accompanied by allodynia (where light touch becomes painful) and hypersensitivity. The pain comes from damage to small sensory nerve fibres in the skin during the original viral infection, not from ongoing inflammation. That’s why standard analgesics like paracetamol and ibuprofen often don’t help much, and why specific neuropathic pain treatments matter.
Where Versatis sits in the neuropathic pain pathway
NICE guidance on neuropathic pain in adults recognises lidocaine medicated plasters as an option for focal neuropathic pain in adults who can’t take, or haven’t tolerated, oral neuropathic pain medicines. The first-line oral options for PHN are typically amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin, and these will usually be tried before Versatis is considered. For patients in whom oral options aren’t appropriate, particularly older patients with multiple comorbidities or significant polypharmacy, the lidocaine plaster offers a useful localised alternative.
Combining Versatis with oral treatments
For some patients with severe or stubborn PHN, lidocaine plasters are used alongside oral neuropathic pain medicines rather than as a replacement. Because the systemic exposure from Versatis is very low, the risk of additive systemic side effects is small for most patients. The combination of a localised plaster plus a systemic oral medicine can provide better pain control than either alone, particularly in patients with widespread allodynia or with pain that spreads beyond a single small area.
Long-term review is essential
The 2- to 4-week review point is one of the most important parts of the protocol. If the plaster is helping (less pain, less allodynia, better sleep, less impact on activity), continued use is appropriate, with regular reassessment to see whether the number of plasters can be reduced or the plaster-free interval extended over time. If it isn’t helping, it should be stopped. Long-term use is only justified where there’s a clear benefit, partly because of the genotoxic potential of one of lidocaine’s metabolites seen in animal studies, although the clinical significance of this in humans is unknown.
Pain treatment that fits you
People with PHN often arrive at lidocaine plasters after months or years of cycling through treatments that didn’t quite work. That experience deserves a real consultation, not a transactional checkbox. Our prescriber will ask about your shingles history, your current pain pattern, your previous treatments, your wider medical history, and what your goals are before deciding whether Versatis is the right next step. For complex pain pictures (PHN plus fibromyalgia, PHN plus MCAS, PHN plus chronic fatigue), our team will also think about whether other approaches, such as compounded topical pain creams or low-dose naltrexone, might play a role.
Why choose Courier Pharmacy for Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Healthcare that fits the person
At Courier Pharmacy, we built our service around a belief we take seriously: healthcare should fit the person, not force the person to fit the system. When you order Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster from us, you are getting more than a box of patches; you are getting access to a team that will make sure it is genuinely the right option for your situation.
Our approach is shaped by the philosophy of Dr Ada Jex-Cori, our brand pharmacist, who built her career on the idea that expert care should be honest, accessible, and personalised. Her message is straightforward: you are not broken. The system is. We are here to change that.
Pain management built around you
We treat neuropathic pain prescribing the way we treat any long-term condition: with a real assessment, a real plan, and real follow-up. Patients with post-herpetic neuralgia often arrive at lidocaine plasters after months or years of cycling through oral neuropathic medicines that didn’t quite work, didn’t suit them, or caused too many side effects. That story deserves a proper consultation, not a transactional checkbox.
Our prescriber will ask about your shingles history, your current pain pattern, your previous treatments, and your wider medical history before deciding whether Versatis is the right next step. For more complex pain pictures, we also discuss compounded topical pain creams (which can be tailored further than off-the-shelf products) and, where appropriate, broader pain management options.
Trust over conversions
Trust matters to us more than conversions. Courier Pharmacy is GPhC-regulated, dispenses through a UK-registered pharmacy, and grounds every piece of clinical content in NHS, NICE, BNF, EMC, and peer-reviewed sources. If Versatis isn’t the right option for you, we’ll explain why and suggest a better alternative. That is what genuine guidance looks like.
Buy Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster (prescription only) from Courier Pharmacy
How our service works
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK and can only be supplied after a prescriber has reviewed your suitability. At Courier Pharmacy, Versatis is available after a quick online consultation reviewed by a UK-qualified prescriber, with optional free pharmacist support before or after you order.
How it works:
Complete a quick online consultation
A UK prescriber reviews your answers
If approved, a prescription is issued
We dispense and deliver discreetly to your door
If Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster isn’t suitable for you, we’ll explain why and suggest the next best option. That might be an oral neuropathic pain medicine (amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin) if those haven’t yet been tried at the right dose for the right duration, a compounded topical pain cream tailored to your skin and pain pattern, or a referral to your GP or a pain specialist if a deeper assessment is needed.
Active ingredient in Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Lidocaine 700mg per plaster
Each Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster contains 700mg of lidocaine, equivalent to 5% w/w, embedded in a soft hydrogel adhesive layer. Lidocaine is an amide-type local anaesthetic that has been used in clinical medicine for decades, with a well-characterised pharmacology, a well-understood safety profile, and a broad evidence base across topical, injected, and intravenous routes.
Excipients to know about
The hydrogel layer also contains glycerol, liquid sorbitol, carmellose sodium, propylene glycol (E1520), urea, heavy kaolin, tartaric acid, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, aluminium glycinate, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), polyacrylic acid, sodium polyacrylate, and purified water.
Two of these are worth flagging: propylene glycol can cause skin irritation in sensitive patients, and the parahydroxybenzoates (parabens) can cause allergic reactions, sometimes delayed.
Patients with known sensitivities to any of these should discuss it with our prescriber before starting, and a compounded propylene-glycol-free or paraben-free option may be worth considering for MCAS or eczema-prone patients. MCAS care that takes you seriously means thinking about excipients, not just actives.
What is Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster for?
Licensed indication
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is licensed in the UK for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection, also known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults. This is the medicine's only licensed indication.
When it's the right choice
Versatis tends to suit adults with localised post-herpetic neuralgia where the painful area is small enough to be covered by one to three plasters, where the skin has fully healed after the original shingles episode, and where standard oral neuropathic pain medicines either haven't been effective, haven't been tolerated, or aren't suitable due to other medical conditions or polypharmacy.
It is particularly useful for older patients in whom systemic neuropathic medicines carry an unacceptable burden, and for patients in whom the allodynia component of PHN (touch-triggered pain) is a major issue, because the hydrogel layer physically cushions the painful area.
When it's not the right choice
Versatis is not licensed for any other neuropathic pain condition. While some prescribers consider it off-label for focal neuropathic pain from other causes (such as post-surgical neuropathic pain, focal small-fibre neuropathy, or persistent localised post-traumatic pain), this is off-label use and requires careful prescriber assessment. It is not appropriate for widespread or generalised pain, for active shingles rash (which is a contraindication), for inflamed or injured skin, for pain that has not been properly diagnosed, or for patients under 18.
How does Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster work?
A dual-action approach
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster has a dual mode of action that is genuinely different from a tablet or a standard cream. The lidocaine in the hydrogel layer diffuses continuously into the skin over 12 hours, providing a local anaesthetic effect. At the same time, the soft hydrogel itself physically protects and cushions the hypersensitive skin area, which can be just as important for patients whose PHN is dominated by allodynia.
What is allodynia?
Allodynia is pain caused by something that does not normally hurt.
For example, with allodynia, you might feel pain from:
Light touch (like clothing on the skin)
Gentle brushing or rubbing
A cool breeze or mild temperature change
Washing your hair or touching your face
It often happens because the nerves (or the way the brain processes nerve signals) become oversensitive, so normal sensations get misread as pain. You’ll commonly see it mentioned in conditions like migraine, neuropathic pain, and some chronic pain syndromes.
Lidocaine's effect on nerve fibres
Lidocaine works by stabilising neuronal cell membranes. In simple terms, it reduces the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels in the small sensory nerve fibres in the skin. These channels are essential for the conduction of pain signals along nerves, and they are upregulated in sensitised, post-shingles nerve fibres. By dampening sodium channel activity, lidocaine reduces the firing rate of these sensitised fibres, which translates into reduced pain perception in the treated area.
Why the cushioning matters
The mechanical effect of the plaster is part of why it works for many patients with PHN. Allodynia means that even light touch (the brush of a shirt, the weight of a duvet, the friction of a seatbelt) can trigger sharp pain. A 10cm x 14cm hydrogel patch placed over the painful area absorbs and softens that mechanical stimulus before it reaches the skin, which reduces allodynic episodes throughout the day. For some patients, the cushioning effect is as valuable as the lidocaine itself.
Pharmacokinetics in plain English
When used at the maximum recommended dose (three plasters applied simultaneously for 12 hours), only around 3% of the total applied lidocaine reaches the bloodstream. Mean peak plasma lidocaine concentrations in PHN patients after a year of daily use are around 45 ng/ml, which is well below the threshold for systemic toxicity. Lidocaine is broken down rapidly in the liver to several metabolites and is mostly excreted by the kidneys. The half-life after plaster application in healthy volunteers is around 7.6 hours.
Why the 12-hour-on / 12-hour-off pattern
The 12-hour-on / 12-hour-off rhythm exists for two reasons. First, it allows the skin to recover between applications, which reduces local irritation and the risk of contact dermatitis. Second, it caps the cumulative systemic lidocaine exposure, which keeps plasma concentrations safely below the threshold for systemic side effects even with multi-month use. The pattern is not flexible; using a plaster for more than 12 hours or skipping the plaster-free interval increases the risk of skin irritation and systemic absorption.
How to use Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Preparing the skin
Apply the plaster to intact, dry, non-irritated skin in the area where you experience PHN pain. The original shingles rash must have fully healed. If there is any hair in the application area, cut it short with scissors rather than shaving, which can disturb the skin barrier. Avoid applying lotion, moisturiser, or other topical products to the area immediately before applying the plaster.
Applying the plaster
Open the resealable sachet and remove one plaster. Apply the plaster to the skin immediately after removing the release liner from the gel surface. Press the plaster down firmly across its whole surface for around 10 seconds, ensuring full skin contact. If you need to cover a larger area, use up to three plasters at the same time. If the painful area is an awkward shape (curving around a flank or shoulder, for example), the plaster can be cut to size with scissors before the release liner is removed.
Wearing the plaster
Wear the plaster for up to 12 hours within any 24-hour period. Choose a 12-hour window that fits your routine; many patients with PHN apply the plaster in the evening, wear it overnight, and remove it in the morning. Others prefer a daytime application if pain interferes with activity. The plaster is hydrogel-based and is generally well tolerated under clothing, but it should not be worn under tight occlusive coverings, as this can increase irritation and systemic absorption.
Removing and disposing of the plaster
After 12 hours, gently peel the plaster off. After removal, fold the plaster in half with the adhesive side inwards (so that the gel layer is not exposed) and dispose of it safely. Used plasters still contain a significant amount of lidocaine, so they should be kept away from children and pets, and disposed of in line with local pharmacy waste guidance rather than left lying around.
The plaster-free interval
Wait at least 12 hours before applying the next plaster. The plaster-free interval is mandatory and is part of how the medicine is designed to be safe over weeks and months of use. During the plaster-free period, you can use moisturiser, shower normally, and carry on with your day; the skin should look normal between applications, with no persistent redness or irritation.
Warnings and precautions for Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Who should not use Versatis
Versatis is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to lidocaine or to any of the plaster excipients, and in patients with a known hypersensitivity to other amide local anaesthetics (such as bupivacaine, etidocaine, mepivacaine, or prilocaine). It is also contraindicated on inflamed or injured skin, including active herpes zoster (shingles) lesions, atopic dermatitis flares, or open wounds.
Skin and mucous membranes
The plaster should not be applied to mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth, nose, eyes, or genital area), and eye contact with the plaster should be avoided. The plaster contains propylene glycol, which can cause skin irritation in sensitive patients, and the parahydroxybenzoate excipients can cause allergic reactions, sometimes delayed.
Cautious use in significant organ impairment
Versatis should be used with caution in patients with severe cardiac impairment, severe renal impairment, or severe hepatic impairment. In these patient groups, even the small systemic lidocaine exposure from a maximum-dose plaster application may take longer to clear. Our prescriber will review any relevant cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic history during the online consultation before issuing a prescription.
Long-term use and the 2,6-xylidine question
One of lidocaine's metabolites, 2,6-xylidine, has been shown to be genotoxic and carcinogenic in rats at high doses. The clinical significance of this finding in humans, particularly at the very low plasma levels seen with Versatis use, is unknown, and decades of clinical use have not raised a specific safety signal in patients. The SmPC nonetheless states that long-term treatment is only justified where there is a clear therapeutic benefit, which is why the 2 to 4 week review point matters and why ongoing use without measurable benefit is not appropriate.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Versatis is not recommended in pregnancy unless clearly necessary, because there are limited human data, although animal studies have not shown teratogenic effects. Lidocaine is excreted in breast milk, but levels are expected to be very low given how rapidly the medicine is metabolised. The decision in pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with prescriber input.
Side effects of Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
Common side effects
Approximately 16% of patients experience side effects from Versatis, and the overwhelming majority are local skin reactions at the application site rather than systemic effects. Very common side effects include local administration site reactions, which can include burning, redness, itching, rash, dermatitis, skin irritation, and small vesicles or blisters under the plaster. Most of these are mild to moderate and settle once the plaster is removed.
Uncommon side effects
Skin lesions and skin injuries (typically minor abrasions from the adhesive) have been reported uncommonly. Reducing the number of plasters used or rotating the application site slightly within the affected area can help.
Very rare and post-marketing effects
Open wounds (very rare) and anaphylactic reactions or other hypersensitivity reactions (very rare) have been reported in post-marketing surveillance. Hypersensitivity reactions can range from local urticaria to systemic anaphylaxis, although the latter is extremely rare. If any rash spreads beyond the plaster site, or if there are any signs of difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or widespread symptoms, the plaster should be removed immediately and urgent medical attention sought.
Systemic side effects
Systemic side effects following appropriate use of Versatis are unlikely because plasma lidocaine concentrations remain very low (typically below 100 ng/ml even with three plasters applied for 12 hours daily long-term). Systemic lidocaine toxicity, when it occurs, presents in a way familiar from other amide local anaesthetic use: dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, arrhythmia, and shock. This is essentially only a risk in overdose scenarios such as using more than three plasters, leaving plasters on for far longer than 12 hours, or applying to broken skin over a large area.
Yellow Card reporting
If you suspect a side effect from Versatis, you can report it to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Reporting helps regulators continue to monitor the safety of lidocaine plasters in real-world UK use.
Drug interactions with Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
A relatively low interaction profile
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster has a relatively low drug interaction profile because systemic lidocaine exposure is very low. No formal interaction studies have been performed, and no clinically relevant interactions have been observed in clinical use. For most patients, including those on multiple medicines, interaction concerns are minimal.
Class I antiarrhythmics
The plaster should be used with caution in patients receiving Class I antiarrhythmic medicines (such as tocainide or mexiletine) and other local anaesthetics, because the risk of additive systemic effects on cardiac conduction cannot be entirely ruled out. In practice, most patients on these medicines can use Versatis safely, but the combination needs prescriber review before starting.
CYP3A4 inhibitors and beta-blockers
At normal Versatis use, interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as imidazole antifungals or macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin) and beta-blockers are unlikely to be clinically significant. These interactions become more relevant if systemic lidocaine concentrations rise, for example in overdose scenarios. As always, it is sensible to mention all current medicines during consultation, including any antibiotics or antifungals being taken short-term.
Other topical medicines
Versatis is generally fine to use alongside oral neuropathic pain medicines (amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, pregabalin) and alongside oral analgesics including paracetamol. Combining the plaster with other topical analgesics on the same area of skin is not recommended, both because the additive local effect is unpredictable and because layering topical products can increase skin irritation.
Frequently asked questions about Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster
What is Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster used for?
Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster is used for the symptomatic relief of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults, the persistent nerve pain that can follow a shingles infection. It is the only licensed lidocaine 5% medicated plaster in the UK and is applied directly to the painful, healed skin area once daily for up to 12 hours.
How long does it take to start working?
Many patients notice some pain relief within the first few hours of the first application, particularly the cushioning effect against allodynia (touch-triggered pain). Full benefit usually develops over the first 1 to 2 weeks of daily use, which is why the treatment outcome is reviewed at the 2 to 4 week mark. If there is no useful response by 4 weeks, treatment should be discontinued.
How long can I use Versatis for?
You can use Versatis for as long as it continues to provide meaningful pain relief, with regular prescriber review. Long-term clinical studies have shown that many patients use the plasters for months or years with sustained benefit. Treatment should be reassessed regularly to see whether the number of plasters can be reduced or the plaster-free interval extended. Long-term use without demonstrable benefit is not appropriate.
How many plasters can I use at once?
Up to three plasters at the same time, applied to cover the painful area. Only the number of plasters needed to cover the painful area should be used. Plasters can be cut into smaller sizes with scissors before the release liner is removed if the painful area is an irregular shape.
Why do I need a 12-hour plaster-free interval?
The 12-hour-on / 12-hour-off pattern allows the skin to recover between applications and keeps cumulative systemic lidocaine exposure safely low even with long-term use. Using the plaster for longer than 12 hours in a 24-hour period increases the risk of local skin irritation and slightly increases systemic absorption. The pattern is not optional.
Can I use Versatis for other types of pain?
The only licensed indication for Versatis is post-herpetic neuralgia. Some prescribers consider it off-label for other forms of localised neuropathic pain (post-surgical neuropathic pain, focal small-fibre neuropathy, persistent localised post-traumatic pain), but this is off-label use and requires careful prescriber assessment.
Can I shower with Versatis on?
It's generally best to remove the plaster before showering, as prolonged water contact can affect adhesion and may slightly increase systemic absorption. If a brief water exposure is unavoidable, pat the plaster dry afterwards. Most patients find it easier to plan their 12-hour application window around their normal shower routine.
Can I use Versatis while taking oral neuropathic pain medicines?
Yes, in most cases. Versatis is often used alongside oral neuropathic pain medicines such as amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin, particularly in patients whose pain hasn't been fully controlled by oral treatment alone. Because the systemic lidocaine exposure from Versatis is very low, the risk of additive side effects is small. Disclose all your current medicines during the online consultation.
Can I use Versatis if I have eczema or sensitive skin?
The plaster should not be applied to inflamed or injured skin, including atopic dermatitis flares. Patients with sensitive skin in general can usually use Versatis successfully, but should be aware that the propylene glycol and paraben excipients can cause irritation or allergic reactions. If you have eczema, MCAS, or significant skin sensitivities, discuss this with our prescriber before starting; a compounded topical lidocaine option may be more suitable in some cases.
Can I use Versatis if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Versatis should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Animal studies do not indicate a teratogenic effect, but human data are limited. In breastfeeding, only very low levels of lidocaine are expected to reach the milk. The decision in either case should be made with prescriber input.
Can Versatis cause systemic side effects like dizziness?
Systemic side effects are very uncommon with correct use, because only around 3% of the applied lidocaine reaches the bloodstream. Mean peak plasma concentrations after a year of daily use are around 45 ng/ml, well below the threshold for systemic toxicity. Dizziness, drowsiness, or other systemic symptoms with correct plaster use should be flagged to a prescriber promptly.
What if I get a rash where the plaster has been?
Mild local skin reactions are the most common side effect of Versatis and are usually short-lived. A spreading or persistent rash, blistering, or severe redness should prompt you to stop the plaster and contact your prescriber. Patients with a history of paraben or propylene glycol allergy may react to the plaster excipients rather than the lidocaine itself.
Can I cut the plaster to size?
Yes. The plaster can be cut to a smaller size with scissors before you remove the release liner, which is useful for covering an irregularly shaped painful area or for using less than a full plaster.
Can I drive while using Versatis?
Yes. Systemic absorption is too low to meaningfully affect driving ability. If you notice any new drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion after applying the plaster, stop and contact your prescriber.
Can I use Versatis on active shingles?
No. The plaster must not be applied to active shingles lesions, broken skin, or wounds. Wait until the rash has fully healed before considering Versatis for any persistent post-shingles nerve pain.
How is Versatis different from a compounded lidocaine cream?
Versatis is a licensed, fixed-strength, fixed-format medicated plaster: 700mg of lidocaine in a 10cm x 14cm hydrogel patch for 12-hour application. A compounded lidocaine cream is a bespoke product prescribed and mixed for an individual patient, typically at concentrations from 2% to 10%, in a base chosen for that patient's skin. The plaster has the strongest evidence base for PHN; compounded creams offer more flexibility for non-PHN localised pain, mixed-mechanism pain, or patients with significant excipient sensitivities. Our prescriber can help you decide which approach suits your situation.
How do I store Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster?
Store at room temperature; do not refrigerate or freeze. After first opening the sachet, keep it tightly closed to protect the unused plasters from light. The shelf-life after first opening the sachet is 14 days.
What happens if I overdose on Versatis?
Overdose is unlikely with correct use, but using more than three plasters at the same time, leaving plasters on for far longer than 12 hours, or using the plaster on broken or damaged skin can raise plasma lidocaine levels enough to cause systemic toxicity. Signs include dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, slow heart rate, and shock. If overdose is suspected, remove all plasters immediately and seek urgent medical attention. There is no specific antidote to lidocaine; treatment is supportive.
How do I dispose of used plasters safely?
Fold each used plaster in half with the adhesive side inwards (so the gel layer is not exposed) and dispose of it safely, ideally returning unused or used plasters to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Used plasters still contain a significant amount of lidocaine and should be kept away from children and pets.
How do I get Versatis 700mg Medicated Plaster from Courier Pharmacy?
Complete the online consultation at courierpharmacy.co.uk. A UK-qualified prescriber will review your answers, issue a prescription if appropriate, and our pharmacy team will dispense and deliver discreetly. Free pharmacist support is available before or after you order.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always check with a GP, pharmacist, or specialist before starting a new supplement if you have a medical condition or take regular medicines.
More than a prescription: our community
Living with post-herpetic neuralgia is rarely just a tablet or plaster decision. It often comes alongside questions about sleep, mood, mobility, and the wider patterns of long-term pain. That's why we run free fortnightly drop-in talks and clinics at Insomnia in Derby, every fortnight from 12pm to 1pm, open to anyone living with long-term conditions or working through a difficult patch with persistent pain. There's no cost, no pressure, and you're welcome to bring a friend or partner. Neuropathic pain is one of the topics we cover most often. Learn more about our community talks on the courierpharmacy.co.uk community page.
How this content was created
Written by the Courier Pharmacy editorial team and reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Grounded in the latest NHS, NICE, BNF, and EMC guidance, peer-reviewed studies, and the real questions patients bring to our drop-in clinics in Derby.
