EMLA (Lidocaine/Prilocaine) for Chronic Pain

Overview
EMLA is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide local analgesia for normal skin and for genital mucous membranes before surgery. EMLA is a combination drug composed of Lidocaine and Prilocaine.

Lidocaine and Prilocaine are topical analgesics (painkillers). These drugs are believed to work by blocking nerve signals.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that EMLA is applied for between five minutes and four hours.

EMLA comes as in cream form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for EMLA lists common side effects including skin reactions at the application site include redness or swelling.

Rare but serious side effects listed for EMLA include allergic and hypersensitivity reactions.