Frequently Asked Questions

A topical anaesthetic cream is used to help numb the skin for a short time, thereby helping to minimise the pain of needle procedures (and some minor skin operations). You may still have the feelings of pressure and touch after applying a topical anaesthetic. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

The active ingredients in Emla Cream are topical anaesthetics, called lidocaine and prilocaine. The other ingredients are macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, Carbomer 974P, sodium hydroxide and purified water. Macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate may cause skin reactions in some people.

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Like all medicines, Emla cream can cause side effects, but not everyone is affected. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects bother you or do not seem to go away. Tell your doctor about anything else that makes you feel unwell while you are using Emla cream.

A mild reaction (paleness or redness of the skin, slight puffiness, initial burning or itching) may occur on the area on which Emla Cream is used. These are normal reactions to the cream and will disappear in a short while without any measures being needed (please refer to the patient information leaflet). 

Emla Cream contains macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, which may cause skin reactions in some people.

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. If you experience any troublesome or unusual effects while you are using Emla Cream, stop using it and check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. 

A mild reaction (paleness or redness of the skin, slight puffiness, initial burning or itching) may occur on the area on which Emla Cream is used. These are normal reactions to the cream and will disappear in a short while without any measures being needed (please refer to the patient information leaflet). Emla Cream contains macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, which may cause skin reactions in some people.

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. If you experience any troublesome or unusual effects while you are using Emla Cream, stop using it and check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. 

Emla Cream is approved for use from full-term birth through to adulthood. Note that if your baby is pre-term, you should NOT use Emla Cream. In addition, if any of the following apply you should talk to your pharmacist, doctor or nurse before using Emla cream:

• If you or your child have a rare inherited illness that affects the blood called ‘glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency’.
• If you or your child have a problem with blood pigment levels called ‘methaemoglobinaemia’.
• Do not use EMLA Cream on areas with skin rash, cuts, grazes or other open wounds, with the exception of a leg ulcer. If any of these problems are present, check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using the cream.
• If you or your child have an itchy skin condition called ‘atopic dermatitis’, a shorter application time may be sufficient. Application times of longer than 30 minutes may result in an increased incidence of local skin reactions.
• If you take particular products for heart rhythm disorders (class III antiarrhythmics, such as amiodarone). In that case the doctor will monitor your heart function.
• EMLA Cream should not be used in children, younger than 12 months of age, who are being treated at the same time with other medicines that affect blood pigment levels “methaemoglobinaemia” (e.g. sulphonamides).

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Emla Cream is approved for use from full-term birth through to adulthood. Note that if your baby is pre-term, you should NOT use Emla Cream. Remember, if your baby is 0-2 months old, you must remove the cream after one hour.

 Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

In infants/newborn infants younger than 3 months a transient, clinically not relevant increase in blood pigment levels (‘methaemoglobinaemia’) is commonly observed up to 12 hours after EMLA Cream is put on.

EMLA Cream should not be used in children younger than 12 months of age who are being treated at the same time with other medicines that affect blood pigment levels “methaemoglobinaemia” (e.g. sulphonamides).

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet and check with your pharmacist, doctor or nurse if you are unsure.

EMLA Cream can be used on children or adults with atopic dermatitis but the application time should be no longer than 30 minutes because of increased potential for local skin reactions if its left on for longer.

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

A dose of Emla Cream is measured in grams. The 5 gram tube of Emla Cream that comes in the pack that you can buy from your local pharmacy roughly corresponds to two doses (that’s why the pack also contains two dressings). But its important to be aware that the amount that should be used varies according to age. 

• For newborns and infants, aged 0-2 months, the dose applied to the skin should not be more than 1 gram of EMLA Cream (on a skin area not larger than 10 square centimetres in size). When pressed out of the tube, 1 gram of Emla Cream is approximately 3.5 cm. Only one single dose (1 gram) should be applied to infants younger than 3 months old in any 24 hour period. 

• For infants aged 3-11 months, up to 2 grams of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 20 square centimetres in size. For example, if two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations) then it is ok to apply 1g of Emla Cream to two separate areas of the skin, because the maximum permitted dose is 2g.

• For children aged 1-5 years, up to 10 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 100 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

• For children aged 6-11 years, up to 20 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 200 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

• The usual dose for adults and adolescents, aged 12 and older, is 2 grams (about half of the 5 gram tube).  

If two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations, for example) then it is ok to apply Emla to two or more areas of the skin, as long as the total dose (in grams) does not exceed the amounts described for the age of the child in the patient information leaflet (also outlined above). 

Always check the patient information leaflet that comes with every pack of Emla to find out how much cream you or your child should use. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

1g of Emla cream is approximately 3.5 cm. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

2g of Emla cream is approximately half of a 5g tube. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

For newborn infants and infants 0-2 months, up to 1 gram of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 10 square centimetres in size. 1 gram of EMLA Cream pressed out of a tube is approximately 3.5 cm. Only one single dose (1 gram) should be applied in any 24 hour period. Note that if your baby is pre-term, you should NOT use Emla Cream.

The application time for newborns and infants 0-2 months is one hour, not more. 

For example, if two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations) then it is ok to apply 0.5 g of Emla Cream to two separate areas of the skin, because the maximum permitted dose is 1g. But this could only be done once in any 24 hour period for a child aged 0-2 months. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

For infants aged 3-11 months, up to 2 grams of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 20 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

The application time for infants aged 3-11 months is one hour, maximum 4 hours.

For example, if two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations) then it is ok to apply 1g of Emla Cream to two separate areas of the skin, because the maximum permitted dose is 2g.

Always use Emla Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

For children aged 1-5 years, up to 10 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 100 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

The application time for children aged 1-5 years is approximately 1 hour, maximum 5 hours.

If two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations, for example) then it is ok to apply Emla to two or more areas of the skin, as long as the total dose (in grams) does not exceed the amounts described for the age of the child in the patient information leaflet. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

For children aged 6-11 years, up to 20 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 200 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

The application time for children aged 6-11 years is approximately 1 hour, maximum 5 hours.

If two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations, for example) then it is ok to apply Emla to two or more areas of the skin, as long as the total dose (in grams) does not exceed the amounts described for the age of the child in the patient information leaflet (also outlined above). 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

The usual dose of Emla Cream for adults and adolescents (aged 12 and older) is 2 grams (about half of the 5 gram tube). The application time is approximately 1 hour, maximum 5 hours.

Always check the patient information leaflet that comes with every pack of Emla to find out how much cream you or your child should use. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Yes, you can use Emla in more than one place on the skin, but you should not exceed the maximum dose. A dose of Emla Cream is measured in grams. The 5 gram tube of Emla Cream that comes in that pack that you can buy from your local pharmacy, roughly corresponds to two doses (that’s why the pack also contains two dressings). But its important to be aware that the amount applied to a child varies according to age. 

For infants aged 0-2 months, no more than a single 1 gram dose of Emla Cream should be applied in any 24 hour period (when pressed out of tube, 1 gram of Emla Cream is approximately 3.5 cm). If two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations, for example) then it is ok to apply 0.5 g of Emla Cream to two separate areas of the skin, because the maximum permitted dose is 1g. But this could only be done once in any 24 hour period for a child aged 0-2 months.  

For infants aged 3-11 months, up to 2 grams of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 20 square centimetres in size. For example, if two or more injections are to be given at the same visit (as might often happen with immunisations) then it is ok to apply 1g of Emla Cream to two separate areas of the skin, because the maximum permitted dose is 2g.

For children aged 1-5 years, up to 10 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 100 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

For children aged 6-11 years, up to 20 g of Emla Cream can be applied to a total skin area not larger than 200 square centimetres in size. No more than a maximum of two doses should be applied, at least 12 hours apart, in any 24 hour period.

Always check the patient information leaflet that comes with every pack of Emla to find out how much cream you or your child should use. Always use Emla Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Emla Cream is not indicated for use in pregnancy. Occasional use of EMLA Cream during pregnancy is unlikely to have any adverse effects on the foetus. However, you should ask your pharmacist, doctor or nurse for advice before using this medicine if you are pregnant. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

The active substances in EMLA Cream (lidocaine and prilocaine) are passed into breast milk. However, the amount is so small that there is generally no risk to the child. However, you should ask you pharmacist, doctor or nurse for advice before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

Emla Cream is available without a prescription from your local pharmacy. Ask for the pack which includes two dressings. If they don’t have it in stock, your pharmacist could order it in for you for the next day. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.  

Emla Cream can be purchased at your local pharmacy without a prescription. Ask for the pack which includes one tube of Emla and two dressings. If they don’t have it in stock, your pharmacist could order it in for you for the next day. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Prices of Emla Cream may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. You should be able to purchase Emla for around £5.50. Ask for the pack which includes one tube of Emla and two dressings. If they don’t have it in stock, your pharmacist could order it in for you for the next day. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Emla Cream should be applied to the area where the needle will be inserted into the skin. Check with your pharmacist, doctor or nurse in advance if you are unsure where this will be. For more information about how to apply Emla Cream, watch our short video. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

You should apply Emla Cream about one hour before the needle procedure. You must remove the cream after one hour for infants aged 0-2 months. For children aged 3-11 months the application time is about one hour and Emla Cream can be left on for a maximum of 4 hours. Otherwise you can leave it on for up to five hours. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

You must remove Emla cream after one hour for infants aged 0-2 months. For children aged 3-11 months the application time is about one hour and Emla Cream can be left on for a maximum of 4 hours. Otherwise you can leave it on for up to five hours. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

It takes approximately one hour for Emla Cream to achieve its numbing effect on the skin. Make sure you apply Emla cream about one hour before any needle procedures. You must remove the cream after one hour for infants aged 0-2 months. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

You will need what is called an ‘occlusive dressing’ – which means it must be water-tight and air-tight. These dressings are usually transparent and are used to keep the Emla Cream in place. Ask your pharmacist for the pack which includes one tube of Emla and two dressings. If they don’t have it in stock your pharmacist could order it in for you for the next day.. 

If you are provided with a pack without dressings you should ask your pharmacy for a suitable ‘occlusive’ dressing. 

For more information about how to apply Emla Cream, watch our short video. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

To achieve its numbing effect, Emla Cream needs to be in a thick mound on top of the skin where the needle is going in. Covering Emla Cream with an air-tight, water-tight dressing means that the cream stays in the right place and doesn’t get wiped off. Ask your pharmacist for the pack which includes one tube of Emla and two dressings. If they don’t have it in stock, your pharmacist could order it in for you for the next day.

For more information about how to apply Emla Cream, watch our short video. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

Yes, you should let the doctor, nurse or pharmacist who will carry out the needle procedure know that you have applied  Emla Cream when you arrive for your needle procedure. They will remove the cream before the procedure. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

Do not use Emla Cream after the expiry date printed on the tube. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet and check with your pharmacist, doctor or nurse if you are unsure.

Emla cream should be stored below 30 degrees C but should not be frozen. Keep Emla cream out of sight & reach of children. Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

The Emla patch is not licensed for use in the UK, but you can buy Emla Cream in a handy pack that contains one tube of cream and two dressings. Just ask your pharmacist – if they don’t have the pack with dressing in stock, they could order it in for you for the next day. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

If the Emla pack (containing a tube of cream and 2 dressings) is not in stock – not to worry, your pharmacist should be able to order it in for you for the next day 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. 

If your local pharmacy does not have the Emla pack (containing a tube of cream and 2 dressings) in stock they should be able to order it in for you the next day, just ask. 

If that’s too long to wait, ask your pharmacist to supply an ‘occlusive’ dressing, which means it’s air-tight and water-tight. These dressings are usually transparent and are used to keep the Emla Cream in place. Be sure not to use a regular plaster or absorbent dressing as this may prevent Emla from achieving its numbing effect. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.

Emla Cream is available to buy at a variety of online pharmacy outlets. Please note, we are not responsible for the pricing of Emla Cream by online pharmacies and the cost may vary between online outlets. The retail price of a pack of Emla, containing the 5g tube and 2 dressings, is around £5.50. 

Don’t forget your local pharmacist can order Emla in for you, and it will usually be available the next day. Just ask for the pack that contains the tube of cream and 2 dressings. 

Always use EMLA Cream exactly as described in the patient information leaflet.