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Anesthetics  (Topical)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Almay Anti-itch Lotion7
  • Americaine Topical Anesthetic First Aid Ointment1
  • Americaine Topical Anesthetic Spray1
  • Butesin Picrate3
  • DermaFlex5
  • Dermoplast2
  • Lagol1
  • Nupercainal Cream4
  • Nupercainal Ointment4
  • Pontocaine Cream8
  • Pontocaine Ointment9
  • Pramegel7
  • Prax6
  • Tronothane6
  • Xylocaine5

In Canada—

  • After Burn Double Strength Gel5
  • After Burn Double Strength Spray5
  • After Burn Gel5
  • After Burn Spray5
  • Alphacaine5
  • Dermoplast2
  • Endocaine1
  • Norwood Sunburn Spray5
  • Nupercainal Ointment4
  • Pramegel7
  • Shield Burnasept Spray1
  • Tronothane6
  • Xylocaine5

Note:

For quick reference, the following anesthetics are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Other commonly used names are: Amethocaine; Butyl aminobenzoate; Cinchocaine; Ethyl aminobenzoate; Lignocaine; Pramocaine

This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Benzocaine (BEN-zoe-kane)
2.  Benzocaine and Menthol (BEN-zoe-kane and MEN-thol)
3.  Butamben (byoo-TAM-ben)
4.  Dibucaine (DYE-byoo-kane)
5.  Lidocaine (LYE-doe-kane)
6.  Pramoxine (pra-MOX-een)
7.  Pramoxine and Menthol (pra-MOX-een and MEN-thol)
8.  Tetracaine (TET-ra-kane)
9.  Tetracaine and Menthol (TET-ra-kane and MEN-thol)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

This medicine belongs to a group of medicines known as topical local anesthetics (an-ess-THET-iks ) . Topical anesthetics are used to relieve pain and itching caused by conditions such as sunburn or other minor burns, insect bites or stings, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts and scratches.

Topical anesthetics deaden the nerve endings in the skin. They do not cause unconsciousness as do general anesthetics used for surgery.

Most topical anesthetics are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For topical anesthetics, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to a local anesthetic, especially when applied to the skin or other areas of the body. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes, especially aminobenzoic acid (also called para-aminobenzoic acid [PABA]), to parabens (preservatives in many foods and medicines), or to paraphenylenediamine (a hair dye).

Pregnancy—Although studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in humans, topical anesthetics have not been reported to cause problems in humans. Lidocaine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. Other topical anesthetics have not been studied in animals.

Breast-feeding—Topical anesthetics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Benzocaine may be absorbed through the skin of young children and cause unwanted effects. There is no specific information comparing use of other topical anesthetics in children with use in other age groups, but it is possible that they may also cause unwanted effects in young children. Check with your doctor before using any product that contains a topical anesthetic for a child younger than 2 years of age.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of topical anesthetics in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of topical anesthetics. Before using a topical anesthetic, check with your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

For safe and effective use of this medicine:

This medicine should be used only for problems being treated by your doctor or conditions listed in the package directions. Check with your doctor before using it for other problems, especially if you think that an infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or serious problems, such as severe burns.

Read the package label very carefully to see if the product contains any alcohol. Alcohol is flammable and can catch on fire. Do not use any product containing alcohol near a fire or open flame, or while smoking. Also, do not smoke after applying one of these products until it has completely dried.

If you are using this medicine on your face, be very careful not to get it in your eyes, mouth, or nose. If you are using an aerosol or spray form of this medicine, do not spray it directly on your face. Instead, use your hand or an applicator (for example, a sterile gauze pad or a cotton swab) to apply the medicine.

For patients using butamben:

To use lidocaine film-forming gel (e.g., DermaFlex):

Dosing—

The dose of a topical anesthetic will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Missed dose—

If your doctor has ordered you to use this medicine according to a regular schedule and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

After applying this medicine to the skin of a child, watch the child carefully to make sure that he or she does not get any of the medicine into his or her mouth. Topical anesthetics can cause serious side effects, especially in children, if any of the medicine gets into the mouth or is swallowed.


Side Effects of This Medicine

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:

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:


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


Revised: 08/29/1994

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