Lidocaine and prilocaine topical cream is used on the skin or in the genital area to cause numbness or loss of feeling before certain medical procedures. It is also used to prevent pain caused by an injection, the drawing of blood from a vein, or minor surgeries such as removing warts. This medicine contains a mixture of two topical local anesthetics (numbing medicines). It deadens the nerve endings in the skin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

A nurse or other trained health care professional will apply this medicine to you or your child before a medical procedure in a medical facility.

You may be taught how to apply this medicine to yourself or your child at home before the medical procedure. Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use it for any other condition without first checking with your doctor. This medicine may cause unwanted effects if too much is used, because more of it is absorbed through the skin.

Do not apply this medicine to open wounds, burns, or broken or inflamed skin, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

Be careful not to get any of this medicine in the eyes, because it can cause severe eye irritation. If any of the medicine does get into your eye, do not rub or wipe the eye, even if it hurts. Wash the eye with water and call your doctor right away.

Be careful not to get any of this medicine in the ears (especially in the middle ear), because it can cause serious hearing problems. If any of the medicine does get into your ear, wash the ear with water and call your doctor right away.

Be careful not to get any of this medicine in the mouth. Serious unwanted effects may occur if the medicine is swallowed.

To use:

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying the medicine.
Apply a thick layer of medicine to the area where numbness is needed. Do not spread the medicine on the skin.
Cover the medicine with a special bandage called an occlusive dressing. This will keep the medicine in place. Your doctor will give you the bandage or tell you what to use.
Seal the edges of the bandage to keep the medicine from leaking. Do not lift the bandage or disturb it. Keeping the medicine tightly covered helps it work properly.
For babies or young children, a second covering may be used to prevent them from touching the medicine.
Carefully watch your baby or child while the medicine is in place. Do not let them loosen or remove the bandage, touch the medicine, or put it in the mouth, eyes, nose, or ears.
Keep the bandage in place until you or your child arrive at the hospital or clinic.
Your doctor will remove the bandage and wipe the medicine off the skin before the medical procedure.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Cough

difficulty with swallowing

large, hive-like swellings on the eyelids, face, lips, tongue, or genitals

severe dizziness or feeling faint

skin rash, itching, or hives

stuffy nose

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing

Incidence not known

Blisters on the skin at application site

blue or blue-purple color of lips, fingernails, mouth, or skin

blurred or double vision

dark urine

dizziness or drowsiness

fainting

feeling hot, cold, or numb

headache

irregular or fast heartbeat

muscle twitching or trembling

nausea

ringing or buzzing in the ears

seizures

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning, swelling, itching, or skin rash at application site

white or red skin at the application site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress closely to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine on a baby younger than 3 months of age unless your child's doctor tells you to. Young babies may have more unwanted effects if too much is used and absorbed through the skin. If you use this medicine on a baby younger than 3 months of age, blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble with breathing or swallowing or any swelling of the hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.

This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia. Call your doctor right away if you or your child develop a blue or bluish purple color on the lips, fingernails, or skin, or have headaches, dizziness, fainting, sleepiness, or trouble with breathing.

Using too much of this medicine or using it on a large area of your skin can cause serious unwanted effects. Remove the cream and contact your doctor right away if you or your child have any of these symptoms: lightheadedness, dizziness, vision problems, an irregular or slow heartbeat, difficulty with breathing, or convulsions (seizures).

During the time that the skin feels numb, serious injury can occur. Be especially careful to avoid injury until the numbness wears off and you or your child have normal feeling in the area. Do not scratch or rub the area, and do not allow very hot or very cold objects to touch it.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.