Emla

Emla Cream general information

What is Emla Cream used for?

Emla Cream 5% is used as a topical local anaesthetic to provide analgesia (pain relief) to a local area of skin for certain minor surgical procedure. These include, needle insertion, such as taking blood samples or applying intravenous catheters; cleaning leg ulcers; superficial surgical procedures like split skin grafting and superficial surgery involving genital skin. When applied to the skin prior to the procedure, Emla 5%Cream provides effective analgesia throughout the procedure, which continues for some time after.

How does Emla Cream work?

Emla Cream 5% contains a combination in equal amounts of two anaesthetics, lignocaine and prilocaine. These anaesthetics are both amino amides that act directly on nerve endings in the skin to block the generation and transmission of specific nerve impulses in a defined area, and this provides reversible loss of sensation in the superficial pain receptors. Lignocaine and prilocaine in Emla 5% Cream work by stabilising the membranes of nerve cells by blocking the influx of sodium ions through voltage-gated sodium channels in the cell membranes and this inhibits the generation of a nerve impulse and its transmission to the brain, which means that no sensation of pain will be received by the pain receptors, although other sensations such as pressure may still be perceived. Emla Cream 5% is absorbed through the layers of the skin reaching the nerve endings and pain receptors, where they work together to numb the area of skin before a potentially painful procedure such an injection.

What does Emla Cream contain?

Emla Cream 5% contains two active ingredient; lignocaine 25 mg/g (2.5%) and prilocaine 25 mg/g (2.5%), which are used as local anaesthetics for minor topical surgical procedures. It also contains: carboxypolymethylene, polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

Emla Cream for local anaethesia

Emla Cream 5% contains a combination of two anaesthetics, lignocaine and prilocaine, which absorb through the layers of the skin reaching the nerve endings and pain receptors, where they work together to numb the area of skin before a potentially painful procedure. Lignocaine and prilocaine in Emla 5% Cream act directly on nerve endings in the skin to block the generation and transmission of specific nerve impulses in a defined area, which provides reversible loss of sensation in the superficial pain receptors. This means that no sensation of pain will be received by the pain receptors, although other sensations such as pressure may still be perceived. Emla Cream 5% provides analgesia (pain relief) to a local area of skin for procedures, including, needle insertion for taking blood samples or intravenous catheters; cleaning leg ulcers; superficial surgical procedures like split skin grafting and surgery involving genital skin.

What are the side effects of Emla Cream?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Emla Cream 5% include: local reaction at the site of application, such as, paleness or redness (erythema) of the skin, slight puffiness (oedema), itching and burning. Occasionally local paraesthesia such as tingling can occur.

When should Emla Cream not be used?

You should not use Emla Cream if you:

• are allergic to lignocaine or prilocaine or any ingredients in Emla Cream
• have methaemoglobinaemia, a blood disorder
• are taking medicines that interact with Emla Cream, including: sulphonamide antibiotics, other local anaesthetics, anti-arrhythmics like amiodarone

How should Emla Cream be used?

You apply your Emla Cream 5% directly to the required area of skin, as a thick layer under an airtight dressing, at least one hour before the start of the procedure, or 30 minutes before cleaning a leg ulcer. You should not apply Emla Cream 5% to open wounds other than leg ulcers, to areas of skin with an infection or rash, near the eyes or inside the ear. Emla Cream 5% provides local anaesthetic for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 5 hours and should not be used for leg ulcers for a period greater than 1-2 months, without discussion with your doctor.

How should Emla Cream be stored?

You should store your Emla Cream below 30°C in a cool dry place and do not freeze.