What is Emla?
Emla is the medication, which belongs to a group of anesthetics, containing Prilocaine and Lidocaine as active ingredients. Due to the powerful composition, the remedy helps block the nerve signals within the body. Generally, the treatment is used to prepare a patient for medical procedures or minor surgeries. It is used mainly to numb the membrane surface or normal intact skin of the vagina or penis. Additionally, Emla can be administered in other instances, not listed in the safety guide. However, it is inevitable to consult a healthcare provider before the beginning of such a therapy.
It is essential to use the drug in accordance with the doctor’s instructions and safety recommendations listed on the label. Do not use Emla in higher or lower doses, as it can lead either to no effect or to the medication overdose. The treatment should be applied approximately 4 hours within the medical procedure or surgery in order to achieve the desired effect. In such instances, your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions concerning cream application.
Start the therapy with doctor’s consultation. Make sure you have no restrictions or contraindications for its use. Generally, Emla is not approved for patients, who are sensitive to its components or similar numbing drugs. The instances of fatal overdose have been reported, mainly connected to non-prescription Emla use. To ensure the medication safety, you need to inform your doctor about all the health disorders, impairments and complications you have, with ultimate concern to liver disorders, genetic enzyme deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, methemoglobinemia or similar disorders. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Emla use due to an advanced risk of negative influence on unborn and nursing children.
Provide your medical specialist with a list of all the prescription and non-prescription medications, herbals, minerals, vitamins and other pharmaceutical supplements you are currently using. Some of them can interact with Emla leading to unwanted reactions and dangerous side effects. Do not combine Emla with seizure treatments, heart rhythm drugs, sulfa drugs, Quinine, Nitroglycerin, Chloroquine, Nitrofurantoin, Dapsone, and others. The list is not complete, so your doctor should be warned about all the medications without any exceptions.
Immediate medical assistance is required for patients, who have noticed the first signs of Emla overdose or misuse. Contact your doctor to report about significant condition aggravation or appearance of devastating side effects, especially swelling, redness, abnormal sensations of temperature, bruising, ringing in the ears, vision impairments, confusion, drowsiness or dizziness, hives, swelling, breathing complications or similar signs of allergic reactions.
Recommendations for Use
Using the treatment to numb the skin, you should apply the smallest dose available. The skin may absorb more medicine, triggering overdose symptoms. Do not apply the remedy to wounded, irritated or damaged skin. Follow application directions in order to prevent possible complications and disorders.
Precautions and Contraindications
Drug Interactions
Side Effects
Consult your healthcare specialist about other conditions and milder reactions you have noticed, especially skin color changes, skin rash or itching, mild burning, and others.