lidocaine and prilocaine Topical

LYE-doe-kane, PRIL-oh-kane

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Emla

Available Dosage Forms:

• Cream


• Film


• Kit

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic Combination

Chemical Class: Amino Amide

Uses For lidocaine and prilocaine

Lidocaine and prilocaine topical cream is used on the skin or in the genital area to cause numbness or loss of feeling before certain medical procedures. It is used to prevent pain caused by an injection, the drawing of blood from a vein, or minor surgeries such as removing warts. lidocaine and prilocaine contains a mixture of two topical local anesthetics (numbing medicines). It deadens the nerve endings in the skin.

lidocaine and prilocaine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using lidocaine and prilocaine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lidocaine and prilocaine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine and prilocaine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lidocaine and prilocaine topical cream in children. However, because of lidocaine and prilocaine's toxicity, it should be used with caution, after other medicines have been considered or found ineffective. Recommended doses should not be exceeded, and the patient should be carefully monitored during therapy.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lidocaine and prilocaine topical cream in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney or liver problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving lidocaine and prilocaine topical cream.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of lidocaine and prilocaine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, history of or


• Heart disease or


• Heart rhythm problems or


• Infection at or near the place of application or


• Large sores, broken skin, or severe injury at the area of application—May cause side effects to become worse.

• Methemoglobinemia (blood disorder), history of—Should not use in patients with this condition.

• Liver disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of lidocaine and prilocaine

A nurse or other trained health care professional will apply lidocaine and prilocaine to you or your child before a medical procedure in a hospital or clinic.

You may be taught how to apply lidocaine and prilocaine to yourself or your child at home before the medical procedure. Use lidocaine and prilocaine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use it for any other condition without first checking with your doctor. lidocaine and prilocaine may cause unwanted effects if too much is used, because more of it is absorbed through the skin.

Do not apply lidocaine and prilocaine to open wounds, burns, or broken or inflamed skin, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

Be careful not to get any of lidocaine and prilocaine in the eyes, because it can cause severe eye irritation. If any of the medicine does get into your eye, do not rub or wipe the eye, even if it hurts. Wash the eye with water and call your doctor right away.

Be careful not to get any of lidocaine and prilocaine in the ears, because it can cause serious hearing problems. If any of the medicine does get into your ear, wash the ear with water and call your doctor right away.

Be careful not to get any of lidocaine and prilocaine in the mouth. Serious unwanted effects may occur if the medicine is swallowed.

lidocaine and prilocaine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

To use:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying the medicine.


• Apply a thick layer of medicine to the area where numbness is needed. Do not spread the medicine on the skin.


• Cover the medicine with a special bandage called an occlusive dressing. This will keep the medicine in place. Your doctor will give you the bandage or tell you what to use.


• Seal the edges of the bandage to keep the medicine from leaking. Do not lift the bandage or disturb it. Keeping the medicine tightly covered helps it work properly.


• For babies or young children, a second covering may be used to prevent them from touching the medicine.


• Carefully watch your baby or child while the medicine is in place. Do not let them loosen or remove the bandage, touch the medicine, or put it in the mouth, eyes, nose, or ears.


• Keep the bandage in place until you or your child arrive at the hospital or clinic.


• Your doctor will remove the bandage and wipe the medicine off the skin before the medical procedure.

Dosing

The dose of lidocaine and prilocaine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of lidocaine and prilocaine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage form (cream):
  
  • For preventing pain caused by medical procedures:
    
    • Adults and teenagers—Apply 1 to 2.5 grams in a thick layer to the skin area. The size of the area to be covered and the length of time the medicine is kept in place will depend on the procedure. Cover the area with a bandage. The medicine may need to stay on the skin for up to 2 hours. Your doctor will remove the bandage and wipe the medicine off the skin before the medical procedure.
    
    
    • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The cream is applied in a thick layer to the skin area. The size of the area to be covered and the length of time the medicine is kept in place will depend on the procedure. Cover the area with a bandage. Your doctor will remove the bandage and wipe the medicine off the skin before the medical procedure.
    
    
  
  

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using lidocaine and prilocaine

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child closely for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by lidocaine and prilocaine.

Do not use lidocaine and prilocaine on a baby younger than 3 months of age unless your child's doctor tells you to. Young babies may have more unwanted effects if too much is used and absorbed through the skin. If you use lidocaine and prilocaine on a baby younger than 3 months of age, blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

lidocaine and prilocaine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble with breathing; trouble with swallowing; or any swelling of the hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.

lidocaine and prilocaine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia. Remove the cream and call your doctor right away if you or your child develop a blue or bluish purple color on the lips, fingernails, or skin, or have headaches, dizziness, fainting, sleepiness, or trouble with breathing.

Using too much of lidocaine and prilocaine or using it on a large area of your skin can cause serious unwanted effects. Remove the cream and contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any of these symptoms: lightheadedness, dizziness, vision problems, an irregular or slow heartbeat, difficulty with breathing, or convulsions.

During the time that the skin feels numb, serious injury can occur. Be especially careful to avoid injury until the numbness wears off and you or your child have normal feeling in the area. Do not scratch or rub the area, and do not allow very hot or very cold objects to touch it.

lidocaine and prilocaine Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Cough


• difficulty with swallowing


• large, hive-like swellings on the eyelids, face, lips, or tongue


• severe dizziness or feeling faint


• shortness of breath


• skin rash, itching, or hives


• stuffy nose


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Blisters on skin at application site


• blue or blue-purple color of lips, fingernails, mouth, or skin


• blurred or double vision


• convulsions


• dark urine


• dizziness or drowsiness


• fainting


• feeling hot, cold, or numb


• headache


• irregular or fast heartbeat


• muscle twitching or trembling


• nausea or vomiting


• ringing or buzzing in the ears


• shortness of breath or troubled breathing


• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Burning, swelling, itching, or skin rash at application site


• white or red skin at the application site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: lidocaine and prilocaine Topical side effects (in more detail)

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More lidocaine and prilocaine Topical resources

• Lidocaine and prilocaine Topical Side Effects (in more detail)
• Lidocaine and prilocaine Topical Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Lidocaine and prilocaine Topical Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Lidocaine and prilocaine Topical - Add your own review/rating

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