Lidocaine and Prilocaine

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

AgonEaze; Anodyne LPT; DermacinRx Empricaine; DermacinRx Prizopak; EmReal; Lido BDK; Lidopril XR [DSC]; Lidopril [DSC]; Livixil Pak; Oraqix; Prikaan; Prikaan Lite; Prilolid [DSC]; Prilovix; Prizotral II; Relador Pak

Brand Names: Canada

EMLA; Oraqix

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to numb an area of the skin before a procedure.
  • It is used to lower pain from shots.
  • It is used before dental care to numb the area.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

  • If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
  • If you have methemoglobinemia.

Cream:

  • If you are using this drug in the ear and you have a ruptured ear drum. Do not use in the ear if you have a ruptured ear drum.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • This drug may cause harm if swallowed. If this drug is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
  • A severe blood problem called methemoglobinemia has happened with drugs like this one. The risk may be raised in people who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, heart problems, or lung problems. The risk may also be raised while taking certain other drugs and in infants younger than 6 months of age. Tell your doctor if you have ever had methemoglobinemia.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Cream:

  • Do not put on open wounds, cuts, or irritated skin.
  • Use care when putting on a large part of the skin or where there are open wounds. Talk with the doctor.
  • Do not use this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
  • Do not scratch or rub the skin while it is numb. Do not let it get very hot or very cold.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
  • If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of methemoglobinemia like a blue or gray color of the lips, nails, or skin; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; seizures; severe dizziness or passing out; severe headache; feeling very sleepy; feeling tired or weak; or shortness of breath. This effect is rare but may be deadly if it happens.
  • Slow heartbeat.
  • Dizziness or passing out.
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, confused, or having blurred eyesight.
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, excitable, shaky, or restless.
  • Seizures or twitching.
  • Change in balance.
  • Change in speech.
  • Ringing in ears.
  • Depression.
  • Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
  • Numbness or tingling in the mouth.
  • Change in how you feel hot or cold.
  • Throwing up.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Cream:

  • Burning, redness, swelling, or other irritation where this drug is used.
  • Pale skin.

Gel:

  • Irritation where this drug was used.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Bad taste in your mouth.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Cream:

  • Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • If you get this drug in any of these areas, rinse well with water.
  • Clean affected part before use. Make sure to dry well.
  • Use a rubber glove to put on.
  • Put a thick layer on the area to be treated. Do not rub in.
  • You may need to cover the treated area with a bandage or dressing. Talk with the doctor.

Gel:

  • It will be put on you by your doctor.
  • Be careful until the numbness goes away. Do not do anything that may injure the treated area.
  • Do not eat or drink anything very cold or hot until your mouth is no longer numb.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Call your doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Cream:

  • Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.

Gel:

  • If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-04-11

Copyright

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Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022