Emla Cream 30g

Nobody looks forward to needles. Whether it is a blood test, a cannula, or a minor skin procedure, the anticipation of discomfort can make the experience harder than it needs to be. Emla cream is a topical local anaesthetic that numbs the surface of intact skin before these procedures, helping to reduce or prevent the pain associated with them. It is used widely across clinical settings and can also be used at home when recommended by a healthcare professional.

Emla cream contains two active ingredients: lidocaine and prilocaine. Together, they work to temporarily block pain signals in the skin. This makes procedures such as venepuncture, cannula insertion, and minor superficial surgery more comfortable for patients of all ages, including children.

Emla cream is a topical anaesthetic preparation containing 25mg of lidocaine and 25mg of prilocaine per gram of cream. The full name of the formulation is a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics, which is where the acronym Emla originates. It is presented as a white oil-in-water cream for application to intact skin.

Emla is classified as a Pharmacy (P) medicine in the UK, meaning it can be purchased from a registered pharmacy without a prescription. A pharmacist will advise you on whether it is appropriate for your situation and how to use it safely.

Emla cream is available in 5g tubes, which are suitable for a single application or a small number of applications depending on the area being treated.

Lidocaine and Prilocaine as Local Anaesthetics

Lidocaine and prilocaine are both well-established local anaesthetic medicines. They work by temporarily blocking the sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. This prevents electrical signals from being transmitted along sensory nerves in the treated area, which in turn blocks the sensation of pain.

The Eutectic Mixture Advantage

When lidocaine and prilocaine are combined in specific proportions, they form a eutectic mixture. A eutectic mixture has a lower melting point than either of its components alone. At body temperature, this allows the two active ingredients to penetrate intact skin more effectively than either agent could achieve individually. The result is a deeper and more consistent level of surface anaesthesia.

Onset and Duration of Effect

The anaesthetic effect begins to develop after the cream has been applied under an occlusive dressing. The depth and duration of anaesthesia depend on how long the cream is left in place. In adults, a meaningful anaesthetic effect on intact skin generally develops after 60 minutes under occlusion, with a deeper effect achieved after a longer application period. The numbing effect persists for one to two hours after removal of the cream. Full details of application times for specific procedures are outlined in the dosage section below.

Using Emla cream correctly is essential for it to work effectively and safely. Follow the instructions provided by your pharmacist or the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your cream.

Before you apply Emla cream:

• Check that the skin in the area you plan to treat is intact. Do not apply Emla cream to broken, damaged, or inflamed skin.
• Wash your hands before and after applying the cream.
• Make sure you are not allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, or any other local anaesthetic of the amide type.

Applying the cream:

• Apply a thick layer of Emla cream to the area of skin to be anaesthetised. Do not rub it in.
• Cover the cream with the occlusive dressing provided in the pack, or with a clean, airtight dressing. The dressing prevents the cream from drying out and helps it to penetrate the skin.
• Leave the cream in place for the time recommended for your specific procedure (see dosage section below).
• Remove the dressing and wipe away the cream before the procedure begins.

After removing the cream:

The skin may appear pale, red, or slightly swollen where the cream was applied. This is a normal response to the local anaesthetic and will resolve on its own. The area will feel numb for approximately one to two hours after the cream is removed.

Avoid applying heat to the treated area while the cream is in place, as this may increase absorption and the risk of side effects. Keep the treated area away from the eyes and mucous membranes.

Emla 5% Cream - 5g Tube

Emla cream is available as a 5% w/w cream, meaning each gram contains 25mg of lidocaine and 25mg of prilocaine.

Recommended application times and quantities for adults:

• Minor procedures (venepuncture, cannula insertion): Apply 1.5 to 2g of cream over an area of approximately 10cm² for a minimum of 60 minutes and a maximum of five hours under an occlusive dressing.
• Dermal procedures (split skin grafting): Apply 1.5 to 2g per 10cm² for a minimum of two hours under an occlusive dressing. Longer application times provide deeper anaesthesia.
• Genital mucosa (male, prior to local anaesthetic injection): Apply 1g per 10cm² for five to ten minutes. No occlusive dressing is required on mucous membranes.

Use in children:

Emla cream is used in children for procedures such as venepuncture. Application times and quantities vary by age and weight. Children under 12 months must only use Emla cream under strict medical supervision due to the risk of methaemoglobinaemia (see side effects section). Always follow the guidance of a healthcare professional when using Emla cream in children.

Do not apply Emla cream to a total body surface area that exceeds the recommendations in the Patient Information Leaflet. Applying large quantities to large areas increases systemic absorption and the risk of side effects.

Emla cream is generally well tolerated when used as directed. The most commonly reported side effects are local reactions at the site of application.

Very common side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people):

• Paleness (pallor) of the skin at the application site
• Redness (erythema) of the skin at the application site
• Localised swelling (oedema) at the application site

These reactions are a predictable response to the vasoconstrictive and vasodilatory effects of lidocaine and prilocaine and are temporary.

Less common but important side effects:

• Burning sensation or itching at the application site
• Allergic contact dermatitis - if you develop a rash, hives, or significant irritation, discontinue use and seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor

Methaemoglobinaemia - an important warning:

Prilocaine can, in rare cases, cause a condition called methaemoglobinaemia, in which haemoglobin in the red blood cells is converted to a form that cannot carry oxygen effectively. This risk is very low in adults when the cream is used as directed but is of particular concern in:

• Infants under 12 months of age
• Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• Patients taking medicines associated with drug-induced methaemoglobinaemia (such as sulphonamides, antimalarials, or nitrates)

Symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia include bluish discolouration of the lips or fingernails (cyanosis), shortness of breath, and fatigue. Seek urgent medical attention if you or a child in your care develops these symptoms after using Emla cream.

Serious systemic side effects are rare when Emla cream is used in accordance with the recommended doses and application times. Applying excessive quantities to large areas of skin increases the risk of systemic absorption of lidocaine and prilocaine, which can affect the heart and central nervous system.

If you notice any side effect not listed in the Patient Information Leaflet, report it to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Emla Cream May Be Appropriate If You:

• Are an adult preparing for a minor skin procedure such as venepuncture, cannula insertion, or minor dermal surgery
• Are a parent or carer of a child who requires a needle procedure and has been advised to use topical anaesthesia by a healthcare professional
• Have intact, healthy skin in the area to be treated
• Are not allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, or other amide-type local anaesthetics

Emla Cream Is Not Suitable If You:

• Have broken, damaged, infected, or inflamed skin in the area to be treated
• Have a known allergy to lidocaine, prilocaine, or any amide-type local anaesthetic
• Have congenital or idiopathic methaemoglobinaemia
• Are applying it to an infant under 12 months without direct supervision from a healthcare professional
• Plan to apply it to the eyes or ear canal

Use With Caution If You:

• Are taking medicines known to cause methaemoglobinaemia, such as sulphonamides, antimalarials, or certain antibiotics - discuss this with your pharmacist before use
• Have G6PD deficiency
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding - speak with your pharmacist or GP before using Emla cream, as local anaesthetics cross the placenta and may be present in breast milk
• Are applying the cream to a large surface area, which increases systemic absorption

This list is not exhaustive. Your pharmacist can advise you on whether Emla cream is appropriate for your specific situation.

Emla cream is a Pharmacy (P) medicine, which means it does not require a prescription but must be supplied under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. When you request Emla cream through Pharmacy Planet, a member of our pharmacy team will review the information you provide to confirm the product is appropriate for your needs.

You will be asked about the procedure you are preparing for, the area of skin to be treated, and your current medicines and medical history. This is not a bureaucratic step. It is a genuine clinical check that helps ensure you receive the correct guidance and that the product is safe for your situation.

If our pharmacist has any concerns about the suitability of Emla cream for you, they will advise you accordingly. In some cases, a GP or specialist review may be more appropriate, and our team will let you know if that is the case.

Because Emla cream is a Pharmacy medicine and not a general sale product, it cannot be purchased without this pharmacist interaction. This requirement exists to protect patients, and Pharmacy Planet takes it seriously.

Store Emla cream at room temperature, below 25°C. Do not freeze. Keep the tube tightly closed when not in use. Store the cream in its original packaging, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.

Keep Emla cream out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use Emla cream after the expiry date printed on the tube and carton. If your cream has expired or you have unused product you no longer need, return it to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines via household waste or by flushing them down the sink or toilet.

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Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy with a commitment to safe, evidence-based care. Our team of qualified pharmacists is available to help you understand whether a product is appropriate for you and to answer any questions you have before and after purchase.

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References

• Emla 5% w/w Cream - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). Aspen Pharma Trading Limited. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1162. Accessed May 2026.
• British National Formulary (BNF) - Lidocaine with Prilocaine. NICE/BMJ Group. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/lidocaine-with-prilocaine. Accessed May 2026.
• NHS - Local Anaesthesia. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/local-anaesthesia. Accessed May 2026.
• MHRA - Yellow Card Reporting. https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.