Does Dollar Tree Have Lidocaine Patches? A 2025 Shopper's Guide

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

In the multi-billion dollar market for topical pain relievers, many consumers seek affordable options for managing aches and pains. This raises a common question: Does Dollar Tree have lidocaine patches available for just a dollar or so?

Quick Summary

This report confirms the availability of 4% lidocaine patches at Dollar Tree, specifically the Coralite brand. It details other pain relief patches sold and compares their active ingredients, like menthol and capsaicin, to lidocaine.

Key Points

Yes, They Do: Dollar Tree sells Coralite brand 4% lidocaine patches, the maximum strength available over-the-counter [1.2.8, 1.7.2].
Available Alternatives: The store also carries pain patches with other active ingredients like menthol and capsaicin under the Assured brand [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
Different Mechanisms: Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs pain, while menthol and capsaicin are counter-irritants that create distracting sensations [1.6.6].
Where to Find Others: Major brands like Salonpas and Aspercreme are sold at larger retailers and pharmacies like Walmart and CVS [1.5.1, 1.5.2].
Safety is Paramount: Never apply patches to broken skin or use them with a heating pad, and always follow package time limits [1.7.5].
FDA Concentration Limit: The FDA warns consumers not to use OTC pain relief products with more than 4% lidocaine [1.7.3].

The Surprising Answer: Finding Lidocaine at Dollar Tree

For budget-conscious shoppers seeking effective pain relief, the question of whether discount stores carry specific medications is common. Contrary to what some may assume, Dollar Tree does, in fact, sell over-the-counter (OTC) lidocaine patches [1.2.8]. The store's website lists the "Coralite Lidocaine 4% Maximum-Strength Pain Relief Pouch" [1.2.8]. This 4% concentration is the maximum strength permitted by the FDA for OTC lidocaine products [1.7.2, 1.7.5]. These patches offer a true local anesthetic, which numbs the targeted area by blocking nerve signals, providing relief from localized pain [1.6.6].

What Other Pain Relief Patches Does Dollar Tree Sell?

Beyond lidocaine, Dollar Tree offers a variety of other pain-relieving patches, primarily under its house brand "Assured" and other value brands like Coralite. These products utilize different active ingredients known as counter-irritants.

Common Active Ingredients in Dollar Tree Patches:

Menthol: Found in products like "Assured Cold 'n Hot Medicated Patches," menthol creates a cooling sensation on the skin [1.4.2, 1.6.6]. This sensation helps to distract the brain from the underlying pain signal. At concentrations above 1.25%, it functions as a counter-irritant [1.4.6].
Capsaicin: This compound, derived from chili peppers, is found in some "Assured Pain Relief Hot Patches" along with menthol [1.4.1, 1.4.3]. Capsaicin works by creating a warming sensation and eventually desensitizing nerve channels, which depletes the chemical (Substance P) that transmits pain signals [1.4.6].
Methyl Salicylate: Also known as oil of wintergreen, this ingredient possesses anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and creates a heating sensation to increase blood flow [1.4.6]. It is a common component in many brand-name pain relief products.

These alternatives are effective for minor aches, muscle strains, and joint pain, but their mechanism is fundamentally different from lidocaine's numbing effect [1.6.4, 1.6.5].

Comparison: Dollar Tree Patches vs. Brand-Name Lidocaine


Feature	Dollar Tree Lidocaine Patch (Coralite)	Dollar Tree Alternative (Assured)	Brand-Name Lidocaine (e.g., Salonpas)
Active Ingredient	Lidocaine 4% [1.2.8]	Menthol, Capsaicin [1.4.1, 1.4.2]	Lidocaine 4% [1.4.8]
Mechanism	Local Anesthetic (Numbs Nerves) [1.6.6]	Counter-irritant (Cooling/Heating Sensation) [1.6.6]	Local Anesthetic (Numbs Nerves) [1.6.4]
Best For	Localized nerve pain, muscle soreness [1.6.6]	Minor aches, muscle strains, stiffness [1.4.4, 1.4.6]	Localized nerve pain, post-herpetic neuralgia [1.6.4]
Price Point	~$1.25 [1.2.6]	~$1.25 [1.3.6]	~$10 - $15 for a multi-pack [1.5.1, 1.5.2]
Availability	At Dollar Tree [1.2.8]	At Dollar Tree [1.3.7, 1.3.8]	At major drugstores, supermarkets, online [1.5.1, 1.5.2]

Safety and Proper Use of Topical Patches

The FDA advises caution with all OTC topical analgesics. It is crucial to follow package directions carefully. The FDA specifically warns consumers not to use products containing more than 4% lidocaine without medical supervision [1.7.3].

Key Safety Guidelines:

Apply patches to clean, dry, and intact skin only. Do not apply to wounds, rashes, or damaged skin [1.7.5].
Do not wear more than one patch at a time on the same area or use patches with other topical analgesics simultaneously [1.4.7].
Avoid covering the patch with a tight bandage or using a heating pad over it, as this can increase absorption and the risk of side effects [1.6.6, 1.7.5].
Lidocaine patches are typically worn for 8-12 hours, while menthol patches are often worn for up to 8 hours [1.6.4, 1.6.6]. Always adhere to the time limit specified on the product packaging.
If you experience skin irritation, burning, or blistering, remove the patch immediately and consult a healthcare professional [1.4.6].
In November 2024, the FDA issued a recall for some OTC pain patches due to manufacturing issues; consumers should always be aware of current recalls [1.4.8].

Conclusion

For consumers asking, "Does Dollar Tree have lidocaine patches?", the answer is yes. The store offers Coralite brand 4% lidocaine patches, providing an extremely affordable option for anesthetic pain relief [1.2.8]. Alongside lidocaine, Dollar Tree stocks a range of other pain-relieving patches with active ingredients like menthol and capsaicin, which act as counter-irritants [1.4.1, 1.4.2]. While the effectiveness of these alternatives is suitable for many minor pains, lidocaine offers a different, numbing action. As with any medication, it's essential to use these products as directed and be mindful of safety warnings from health authorities like the FDA [1.7.5].

For more detailed information on the regulation of these products, you can visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The active ingredients in Assured brand pain patches are typically menthol and sometimes capsaicin, which act as counter-irritants to relieve minor pain [1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.5].

Yes. The Coralite lidocaine patch at Dollar Tree has a 4% concentration, which is the maximum strength allowed for over-the-counter (OTC) products and the same strength found in brands like Salonpas and Aspercreme [1.2.8, 1.4.8, 1.7.2].

At Dollar Tree, a lidocaine patch can cost around $1.25 [1.2.6]. At other retailers like Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens, a box of multiple patches can range from approximately $10 to $15 [1.5.1, 1.5.2, 1.5.5].

They work differently. Lidocaine numbs pain by blocking nerve signals, which may be better for certain types of localized pain. Menthol creates a cooling sensation that distracts from pain. The best choice depends on the type of pain and personal preference [1.6.4, 1.6.6].

No, you should not use more than one patch on the same area at a time or use a patch in conjunction with other topical pain relief products unless directed by a doctor [1.4.7].

The FDA warns consumers to avoid OTC products with more than 4% lidocaine and to use all patches as directed. Improper use, such as applying to broken skin or for too long, can lead to serious health risks like irregular heartbeat or seizures [1.7.2, 1.7.5].

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs the area to block pain signals [1.6.7]. Capsaicin, from chili peppers, creates a warming sensation and works by depleting the nerve chemical that sends pain messages [1.4.6].