Emla cream is used to numb the skin to help prevent pain prior to blood samples, vaccinations, minor superficial cosmetic procedures, split skin grafting, cleaning leg ulcers, inserting an intravenous catheter, and procedures on genital skin.

EMLA Cream (a eutectic mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) is indicated as a topical anesthetic for use on:

• Normal intact skin for local analgesia.
• Genital mucous membranes for superficial minor surgery and as pretreatment for infiltration anesthesia.

EMLA Cream is not recommended in any clinical situation when penetration or migration beyond the tympanic membrane into the middle ear is possible because of the ototoxic effects observed in animal studies.

EMLA Cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) is an emulsion in which the oil phase is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine in a ratio of 1:1 by weight. This eutectic mixture has a melting point below room temperature and therefore both local anesthetics exist as a liquid oil rather than as crystals. It is packaged in 5 gram and 30 gram tubes.

• EMLA Cream and Patch contain as the active ingredients:
  – Lignocaine 25 mg/g and
  – Prilocaine 25 mg/g Plus,
  – Carbomer 934P
  – Polyoxyethylene
  – Castor oil – ethoxylated
  – Hydrogenated sodium hydroxide. It contains 5 x 5 g tubes (with 10 dressings)
• A thick layer of EMLA Cream is applied to intact skin and covered with an occlusive dressing.
• Remember to apply EMLA on intact skin at least one hour before the procedure is due.
• For leg ulcers, remember to apply EMLA 30 minutes before your ulcer is due to be cleaned.
• Apply EMLA two hours before split skin grafting and at least fifteen minutes before a procedure on male genital skin.
• If you do not, your or your child’s appointment may have to be delayed, or the procedure may hurt more than it would otherwise. If you or your child are using EMLA on leg ulcers, only use the tube once. Throw out any cream left in the tube after use.
• Do not use EMLA cream on leg ulcers for longer than 2 months without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Be sure to follow the instructions in the pack on how to apply EMLA cream or patch carefully.
• Make sure the patch or the dressing covering the cream is firmly fixed, especially on young children.
• If EMLA is not covered carefully, it may not work effectively. Be careful not to let EMLA get into the eyes. It may cause eye irritation. If EMLA does get into your eyes, immediately rinse them with large amounts of water and contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Contraindications

• EMLA Cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) is contraindicated in patients with a known history of sensitivity to local anesthetics of the amide type or to any other component of the product.
• Do not apply EMLA cream to any open wounds except leg ulcers.
• Do not use EMLA if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says it is safe.
• The ingredients in EMLA have been used for many years and no ill effects have been shown if they are used while you are pregnant.
• Only very small amounts of EMLA get into the blood so even though your baby can take in EMLA from breast milk if you are breastfeeding, it is unlikely to cause any problems.

After-care

• When EMLA Cream is used, the patient should be aware that the production of dermal analgesia may be accompanied by the block of all sensations in the treated skin. For this reason, the patient should avoid inadvertent trauma to the treated area by scratching, rubbing, or exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures until complete sensation has returned.
• EMLA Cream should not be applied near the eyes or on open wounds.
• Keep your cream or patches in the pack until it is time to use them.
• If you squeeze EMLA out of the tube or open the patches it will not keep well.
• Keep EMLA cream in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not let it freeze.
• Keep EMLA patches in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not let them freeze.
• Do not store EMLA or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
• Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground is a good place to store medicines.