EMLA is a mixture of two local anaesthetics, lignocaine and prilocaine.

These local anaesthetics are combined with special agents which allow the products to pass through the skin. Once through the skin the numbing effect they produce allows minor surgical procedures to be done without you feeling any pain.

These procedures can include taking blood samples, skin grafting, cleaning leg ulcers or inserting an intravenous catheter.

Before Using This Medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine, prilocaine, or other local anesthetics given by injection or applied to any part of the body as a liquid, cream, ointment, or spray. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

This mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, lidocaine and prilocaine (separately) have been given to pregnant women and have not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems.

Small amounts of lidocaine, and probably of prilocaine, can pass into breast milk. Many medicines that pass into breast milk in small amounts may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are breast-feeding and who wish to use this medicine should discuss this with their doctor.

This medicine has been tested in children. Very young children (less than 1 year of age) may be especially sensitive to the effects of lidocaine and prilocaine. This may increase the chance of side effects. However, in effective doses, this medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children older than 1 year of age than it does in adults.

Young children are often frightened when they receive injections or have other painful procedures done. This medicine helps prevent pain, but it will not calm a frightened child. Parents can help by staying calm and by comforting and reassuring the child.

This medicine has not been studied specifically in older people. However, it is possible that the chance of some side effects may be increased in elderly people. Experience with local anesthetics given by injection or applied to other areas of the body (for example, the throat or the inside of the mouth) has shown that elderly people are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of local anesthetics.

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. Before using this medicine, tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, especially Sulfonamides (sulfa medicine). The chance of a side effects (methemoglobinemia) may be increased, especially in infants.

Other medical problems — The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Broken or inflamed skin, burns, or open wounds at place of application or
• Atopic dermatitis or
• Eczema—More of this medicine can be absorbed into the body quickly, which increases the chance of side effects
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency—A possible side effect of this medicine (methemoglobinemia) may be more likely to occur
• Liver disease (severe)—The chance of side effects may be increased if large amounts of this medicine are absorbed into the body quickly
• Methemoglobinemia—This medicine may make your condition worse

Directions for Use

Cream Apply a thick layer of medicine to the area or areas where local anesthesia (numbness or loss of feeling) is needed. Do not spread out the medicine.

This medicine is used together with a special bandage (called an occlusive dressing). Check with your health care professional if you did not receive any bandages with the medicine. Cover the medicine with the bandage. Seal the edges of the bandage tightly, making sure that none of the medicine leaks out. Do not lift the bandage or otherwise disturb it. Keeping the medicine tightly covered helps it work properly.

If your health care professional has directed you to remove the bandage and wipe off the medicine after a certain amount of time, follow the directions carefully. Then clean the area with the antiseptic solution recommended by your health care professional. If your health care professional has not directed you to remove the bandage and the medicine, keep them in place until your health care professional removes them.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using EMLA.

EMLA helps most people to undergo minor procedures without feeling pain, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.

You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any local reaction such as itching, swelling, paleness, redness or a burning sensations that worry you.

If any of the following happen, remove EMLA and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital.

• a rash at a spot where EMLA is not being used
• difficulty breathing

These are very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious (allergic) reaction to EMLA. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

All of these side effects are very rare.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Some people may get other side effects while taking EMLA.