Prilox Cream 10gm is used to numb the skin before:

• Needle procedures: Such as inserting an intravenous cannula or taking a blood sample.

• Minor skin procedures: Such as removal of small skin lesions or other superficial surgery.

• Genital procedures: Genital skin or mucosa before an injection or minor procedure, applied only by a doctor or nurse.

• Leg ulcer cleaning: Cleansing of leg ulcers, applied only under the supervision of a doctor or nurse.

Prilox is for numbing and does not treat the underlying condition.

Lidocaine and prilocaine block sodium channels in nerve endings. This stops nerves from starting and carrying pain signals to the brain.

The depth and length of numbness depend on how much cream is used and how long it stays on the skin. Pressure and touch can still be felt.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter products.

• Class III antiarrhythmics: Medicines such as amiodarone call for caution, because the effects on the heart may add together.

• Cimetidine and beta-blockers: They can raise lidocaine levels, but this is not clinically important for short-term use at recommended doses.

• Medicines that affect blood pigment: Sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, phenytoin and nitrates can add to the risk of methaemoglobinaemia, particularly in infants.

• Other local anaesthetics: Absorption from all products adds up, so tell your doctor if you use other products containing lidocaine or similar medicines.

• Live vaccines: If you use the cream before a live vaccine such as the TB vaccine, return for follow-up after the time your doctor or nurse advises, because the local reaction may be affected.

• Store Prilox Cream 10gm at room temperature, below 30°C.

• Keep the cap tightly closed after use.

• Do not use the cream after the expiry date.

• Do not use the tube if the seal is broken.

• Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Use Prilox exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist tells you. The cream is applied in a thick layer on intact skin and covered with an occlusive dressing. For adults, it is usually left on for at least 60 minutes before the procedure and not for more than 5 hours.

• Do not rub it in.

• Remove the dressing and wipe off the cream just before the procedure.

• Wash your hands after applying, unless you are treating your hands.

• Avoid contact with the eyes. If it gets in an eye, rinse well with lukewarm water or saline straight away.

• Do not apply to broken skin or open wounds, except leg ulcers under supervision, or to a damaged eardrum.

• For infants and children, the amount and application time are set by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Common side effects of Prilox Cream 10gm may include:

• Skin paleness

• Skin redness

• Swelling at the application site

• Warmth

• Burning sensation

• Itching

• Tingling

• Numbness around the site, which is the expected effect

• Small red or purple spots on the skin

These are usually mild and settle after the cream is removed. Speak to your doctor if they are severe or do not settle.

Serious side effects

Seek medical attention if you develop:

• A severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat or difficulty breathing.

• Signs of methaemoglobinaemia, such as blue-grey lips or skin, breathlessness, headache or a fast heartbeat, particularly in babies and young children.

• Eye pain, redness or damage if the cream gets in the eye.

• Signs of too much anaesthetic in the blood, such as dizziness, drowsiness, tingling around the mouth, a slow heartbeat or seizures.

• Blistering or severe skin irritation at the application site.

• Apply Prilox only to intact skin, in a thick layer, and cover it with a dressing as directed.

• Do not apply more cream, over a larger area or for longer than advised.

• Keep it away from the eyes, and rinse well if it gets in an eye.

• Tell your doctor if you have a blood pigment problem called methaemoglobinaemia or a rare enzyme condition called G6PD deficiency.

• Do not use it on a damaged eardrum or on the genitals of children.

• For babies and young children, use only as directed by a doctor.

• Wipe the cream off just before the procedure and tell your nurse that you used it.

• Tell your doctor if you use other local anaesthetic products.

• If you have atopic dermatitis, a shorter application time may be enough, so ask your doctor.