Type of medicine: topical anesthetic (painkiller)
Generic and brand names: lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%, topical; EMLA Cream
This medicine is used to numb your skin before injections, minor surgery, or other procedures. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider,
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you take medicine for an irregular heartbeat.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use the medicine as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not use more medicine, use it more often, or leave it on longer than instructed. Using too much, too often, or leaving it on too long may cause serious side effects.
Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
This medicine comes in the form of a cream. Use the medicine on skin that is not broken, damaged, or irritated. Your healthcare provider may instruct you to cover the medicine with a special dressing or bandage.
Keep this medicine out of your mouth, nose and eyes. It can irritate or injure your eyes. If you get this medicine in your eye, do not rub your eyes. Flush them with plenty of cool water. If you smear it on another part of the skin by accident, just wipe it off.
If you forget to use this medicine or apply this medicine later than directed, contact your health care provider.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, confusion, nervousness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, feeling hot or cold, numbness, muscle twitches, irregular heartbeat, seizures, slow breathing, breathing that stops, coma.
Use this medicine with caution with people who are very ill or elderly, or with infants less than 3 months old. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you become very dizzy or sleepy, or your skin turns blue or gray around your mouth, fingers, or toes after using this medicine, remove the medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away.
Since this medicine stops all feeling on your skin, be careful not to injure your skin by scratching, rubbing, or exposing it to extreme hot or cold temperatures. The numbing effect of the medicine goes away after a few hours.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Lightheadedness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, vision problems, extreme nervousness, tremor, irregular heart rate, mental status changes, weakness, confusion, blue or gray skin tone.
Other: Redness, swelling, or mild burning sensation, mild rash.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
