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 the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

All products:

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

Cream:

  • If you are using this drug in your child’s ear and your child has a ruptured ear drum. Do not use in the ear if your child has a ruptured ear drum.

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

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

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

All products:

  • Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s 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 child’s doctor if your child has ever had methemoglobinemia.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

  • Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child 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 have your child use longer than you have been told by your child’s doctor.
  • Do not let your child scratch or rub the skin while it is numb. Do not let the skin get very hot or very cold.
  • 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 child’s 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 child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has 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 your child feels 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 child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child 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 child’s mouth.

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

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Cream:

  • Do not give by mouth. Use on your child’s skin only. Keep out of your child’s 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 by the doctor.
  • Have your child be careful until the numbness goes away. Do not let your child do anything that may injure the treated area.
  • Do not let your child eat or drink anything very cold or hot until the mouth is no longer numb.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

  • Call your child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
  • Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s 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

© 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022