What is Lidocaine and tetracaine topical?
Lidocaine and tetracaine topical are a combination of medicines used to numb small areas of skin. This medicine can be used to prevent pain when performing certain medical treatments, like a skin biopsy or minor skin surgery.Lidocaine or tetracaine is used as topical anaesthetics to numb the skin during minor cosmetic procedures, such as a Botox infusion, laser treatment, and tattoo removal.Lidocaine or tetracaine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Lidocaine and tetracaine topical
If you experience any of the following: hives, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, throat, or mouth
If you experience:
- The medicine may cause severe irritation, such as burning, stinging, or other symptoms.
- After taking the medication, you may experience sudden dizziness or drowsiness.
- Skin that is pale, grey, or blue in colour;
- Shortness of breath, headache
- Tiredness or the feeling that you could pass out
- You may experience blurred vision or ringing in the ears.
- Unusual sensations of heat or cold
Side effects that are common include:
- Skin redness;
- Skin swelling
- Changes in the skin colour at the site of application
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you use more than recommended or leave the skin patch on for too long, you can experience fatal side effects.Keep all skin patches, both used and unused, out of reach of pets or children.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to:
- Any type of numbing medication;
- Sunscreen and other skin care products that contain paraaminobenzoic (PABA) acid.
Overdoses of numbing medicine have been fatal when used without the doctor's advice (such as in a cosmetic procedure such as laser hair removal). Many cosmetic procedures are done without the presence of a doctor.Topical cream containing lidocaine and tetracaine should not be applied to children younger than three years of age. The skin patch has not been approved for anyone under 18 years of age.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Liver disease
- A blood cell disorder known as methemoglobinemia in you or your family member;
- A genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
- A condition for which you are taking medicine to regulate your heartbeat;
- Allergic reaction to any medicine used in anaesthesia.
This medicine may have a greater effect on older adults or people with disabilities.Tell your doctor whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding.Avoid areas where the mouth of your baby may come into contact with lidocaine or tetracaine.If you wear this patch during an MRI, it may cause skin burns. Before undergoing a test, remove the patch.
How to take Lidocaine and tetracaine topical?
Read all the instructions or medication guides on the label. Use this medication only as prescribed. Never take more than the recommended dose or use it for a longer period of time.The medicine should be applied between 20 and 30 minutes prior to your procedure or 60 minutes prior to tattoo removal.Topical Lidocaine or Tetracaine is available as a cream or skin patch.You should carefully read any instructions for use that come with the medicine if you are using it at home.Ask your pharmacist or physician if you do not understand.Take it only by mouth. Topical medicines are only to be used on the skin. Rinse with water if this medicine enters your mouth, nose, or rectum.A healthcare professional will apply the medicine to your skin for a cosmetic treatment.Apply the lidocaine-tetracaine topical patch only to clean, healthy, dry skin in the area that you want to numb. Avoid raw or blistered skin. Press the patch into place firmly.It is normal to feel warm, but not unbearably hot.After applying a skin patch, wash your hands.Remove the skin patch after the prescribed time. Then, clean and disinfect your skin according to your doctor's instructions.Fold the skin patch in half, sticky side facing out. Throw it away somewhere that is not accessible to children or pets.Store skin patches away from moisture, heat, and moisture at room temperature.Keep both used and un-used skin patches out of reach of pets or children. If a child or animal accidentally swallows or sucks the patch, it could cause harm.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for local anaesthesia:
Apply one film to intact skin between 20 and 30 minutes prior to the procedure.
The usual paediatric dose for local anaesthesia is:
>= 3 years: Apply a film to the intact skin between 20 and 30 minutes prior to the procedure.
What happens if I miss the dose?
The lidocaine/tetracaine topical cream is only used in a single dosage, so there is no need to follow a dosing regimen.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. If you take too much numbing medication, it can have fatal side effects.
You may be absorbing too much lidocaine or tetracaine topical if you:
- You should not exceed the recommended dosage.
- You should not apply the medication to skin that has been cut or irritated.
- You leave a patch of skin on your body for too long.
The symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, drowsiness, and slurred or numb speech. Overdoses of lidocaine and tetracaine can cause serious complications, including seizures, slowed respiration, coma, and heart failure.
What should be avoided?
Avoid letting this medication come into contact with your eye.Rinse your eyes with warm water if this occurs.If the skin patch has been damaged or cut, do not use it.When applying a skin patch, avoid touching the sticky side.Avoid receiving a "live vaccine" while using lidocaine or tetracaine. The vaccine might not be as effective, and you may not be fully protected from disease. Live vaccines are available for measles (MMR), rubella, mumps (MMR), yellow fever, typhoid (typhoid), varicella (chickenpox), zoster, and rotavirus.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs that you take are unlikely to affect the medicine used on your skin. Some drugs may cause side effects that make lidocaine or tetracaine harmful. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies.
