Lidocaine+prilocaine
About Lidocaine+prilocaine
Lidocaine+prilocaine is a prescription topical anaesthetic cream designed to temporarily numb the surface of the skin. It is used to prevent pain during minor medical, surgical, or cosmetic procedures, such as needle punctures, skin grafts, or superficial laser treatments. By temporarily blocking pain signals in the treated area, this cream helps make these interventions significantly more comfortable.
This medication is applied only when needed before a scheduled procedure, rather than on a regular daily schedule. You should apply it to clean, dry, and intact skin as directed by your healthcare provider. Keeping your skin well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding harsh chemical exfoliants prior to your procedure can help maintain a healthy skin barrier and support optimal results.
While using Lidocaine+prilocaine, you may notice temporary local reactions like skin paleness, mild redness, or a slight burning sensation where the cream was applied. These minor reactions typically fade shortly after the cream is wiped away. However, if you experience severe burning, swelling, skin blistering, or signs of a serious allergic reaction, you must seek medical attention immediately.
Do not take this if you have a history of drug allergies, especially to other local anesthetics. Before using this cream, inform your doctor if you have a rare blood disorder called methemoglobinemia, severe liver damage, or a genetic condition called G6PD deficiency. This medicine should not be applied to open wounds, broken skin, infected areas, or near the eyes and ears.
Certain heart medications can interact with this cream, so it is important to provide your healthcare provider with a complete list of your current medicines. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly individual, consult your doctor before using this product to ensure it is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Lidocaine+prilocaine
• Local Anaesthetic: Lidocaine+prilocaine acts as a local anaesthetic, numbing the skin to reduce pain and discomfort during injections or minor surgeries.
• Post-surgical Pain Relief: Lidocaine+prilocaine provides post-surgical pain relief by numbing the skin, alleviating localised pain and discomfort after surgery.
• Skin Irritation Management: Lidocaine+prilocaine numbs the skin, providing temporary relief from irritation caused by minor burns, insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin conditions by blocking nerve signals.
• Dermatological Procedures: Lidocaine+prilocaine is used before dermatological procedures like laser treatments or chemical peels to numb the skin, reducing pain and discomfort.
• Sexual Activity support: In some cases, Lidocaine+prilocaine application can be used to help manage premature ejaculation in men by numbing the area, thus extending sexual activity duration.
Medicinal Benefits
Lidocaine+prilocaine helps provide temporary local anaesthesia by numbing the skin at the site of application. By blocking pain signals in a specific area, it helps make medical procedures more comfortable without affecting your alertness.
- Provides Targeted Pain Relief: By numbing the treated area, Lidocaine+prilocaine helps prevent pain during procedures such as injections, minor surgeries, or cosmetic treatments while allowing you to remain awake and comfortable.
- Helps Reduce Procedure-Related Anxiety: By minimising the pain associated with needles and minor procedures, Lidocaine+prilocaine helps reduce fear and anxiety, making medical visits more comfortable for both adults and children.
- Supports Safer and More Comfortable Procedures: By providing effective local anaesthesia, Lidocaine+prilocaine helps patients remain still and comfortable during procedures, enabling healthcare professionals to perform treatments more efficiently and accurately.
Directions for Use
- Generally, you may need to use it at home up to 4 hours prior to your surgery/procedure. However, follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Check the directions on the label and use it as advised by the doctor. Your doctor will tell you how much to use and how long to leave it on your skin. Follow these instructions carefully.
- Do not cover the treated area with a bandage or plastic wrap unless advised by the doctor.
Storage
Side Effects of Lidocaine+prilocaine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Pale skin (pallor) or redness at the application site
- Mild swelling, puffiness, or fluid buildup
- A temporary sensation of warmth, cold, or mild burning immediately after application
- Slight tingling or numbness that gradually fades after the cream is removed
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Severe burning, irritation, redness, or skin blistering where the cream was applied
- Bluish or gray color of the skin, lips, or nail beds, along with unusual tiredness, headache, shortness of breath, or a rapid heart rate
- Dizziness, extreme drowsiness, confusion, ringing in the ears, or blurred vision
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the tube before use; do not use the cream if the tube is punctured, damaged, or if the cream has changed colour or consistency.
- Never apply this cream to open wounds, cuts, scrapes, severe burns, or active skin infections, as this can cause the body to absorb the medicine too rapidly and lead to toxicity.
- Avoid getting the cream in or near your eyes, nose, mouth, or ears. If accidental contact occurs, rinse the area thoroughly with plenty of lukewarm water immediately.
- Do not leave the cream on the skin for longer than the maximum time recommended by your doctor, as prolonged application increases the risk of serious systemic side effects.
- If you are applying this cream to a child, ensure they are supervised closely so they do not touch the treated area or accidentally put the cream in their mouth.
Drug Interactions
- Class III heart rhythm medicines (such as amiodarone): Combining these with Lidocaine+prilocaine can increase the risk of heart-related side effects, as both can affect cardiac function.
- Other local anaesthetics: Using other numbing agents at the same time can increase the overall level of anaesthetic in your body, raising the risk of toxicity.
- Medicines that trigger methaemoglobinemia (such as sulphonamide antibiotics or nitrates): When used together, these can increase the risk of a serious blood oxygen disorder.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while using Lidocaine+prilocaine. Alcohol intake, along with Lidocaine+prilocaine, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine is pregnancy category B drug. If a lady is pregnant, they can use the medicine only after the doctor's recommendation. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Your doctor will prescribe you Lidocaine+prilocaine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine can only be used in breastfeeding mothers after the doctor's suggestion.
Driving
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine may cause drowsiness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine is safe if prescribed by a doctor in patients with serious kidney disease. Please ask your doctor about all of your liver problems.
Children
cautionLidocaine+prilocaine is to be used on children only when prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Protect the numbed skin: Avoid scratching, rubbing, or exposing the treated skin to extreme heat or cold while it is numb, as you could easily injure the area without feeling it.
- Hydrate your skin from within: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your skin procedure to support healthy skin barrier function and recovery.
- Avoid skin irritants: Do not apply harsh chemical peels, strong exfoliating scrubs, or alcohol-based skincare products to the target area for at least 24 to 48 hours before applying Lidocaine+prilocaine.
- Keep the area clean: Ensure the skin is completely washed with mild soap and water and thoroughly dried before applying the cream to prevent trapping dirt or bacteria under the protective dressing.
Special Advise
- Do not apply near eyes or open wounds.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you develop blistering of the skin where the medication is applied.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp; it might be constant or intermittent. The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person. Pain can be generalised (overall body aches) or localised (affecting a specific body area). Pain can be considered a good thing as it helps us know something is wrong in the body and helps diagnose the condition. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures, arthritis, stomach aches, etc.
FAQs
Lidocaine+prilocaine belongs to the class of local anaesthetics known as numbing medication, which is used to produce local numbness (anaesthesia) on the skin before surgical procedures or injections.
Lidocaine+prilocaine contains Lidocaine and Prilocaine. Together, Lidocaine+prilocaine blocks pain signals from the nerves to the brain, decreasing the pain sensation.
Do not use Lidocaine+prilocaine after expiry. Expiry refers to the last date that the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of the drug. Check the expiry date from time to time and properly discard the Lidocaine+prilocaine after expiry or return it to your pharmacist for proper disposal.
Be careful and check that no injury occurs in the numb area. You will not feel the pain, but it will hurt you the most after the action of Lidocaine+prilocaine ends.
A person 65 or older should use Lidocaine+prilocaine with caution, as directed by the doctor, as the chances of side effects increase in older people.
The anaesthetic effect of Lidocaine+prilocaine varies based on application time and treatment area. On intact skin, it lasts 1-2 hours after removal, while on genital mucosa, it lasts 15-20 minutes. Please consult a doctor for specific guidance.
The side effects of Lidocaine+prilocaine include swelling, burning, itching, skin rash, and white or red skin at the application site. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. However, consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
Lidocaine+prilocaine should be applied to intact skin before the surgical procedure. Apply a thin layer with clean and dry hands on the skin. You can also apply it with a piece of clean cotton wool or a gauze swab. Gently rub the medicine into the skin until it dissolves. Please wash your hands thoroughly before and after using it.
Yes, this cream can be used to reduce needle pain in children, but it must be applied under strict medical supervision. The dosage and application area must be carefully controlled based on the child's age and weight to prevent serious side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it on a child.
If the cream gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately with a large amount of lukewarm water or saline solution. Keep rinsing for several minutes and protect the eye until feeling returns, as you may not feel particles that could cause scratches. Contact your doctor or seek medical advice immediately.
Yes, because Lidocaine+prilocaine is a topical cream that only numbs the specific area of skin where it is applied, it does not typically affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, if you feel dizzy, confused, or unusually sleepy after application, avoid driving and talk to your doctor right away.
The active ingredients can cross the placenta and may enter breast milk in small quantities. While topical use generally results in very low absorption, you should only use this cream during pregnancy or breastfeeding if clearly needed and recommended by your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits.
No, you should never apply heat, such as a heating pad, to the area where Lidocaine+prilocaine has been applied. Heat can increase blood flow to the skin, causing your body to absorb the medicine much faster, which significantly increases the risk of severe side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about proper application.
Author Details
