Anesthetics (Topical)
Before Using This MedicineIf you are using this medicine
without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.
For topical anesthetics, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to a local anesthetic, especially when applied to the skin
or other areas of the body. Also tell your health care professional if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes,
especially aminobenzoic acid (also called para-aminobenzoic acid [PABA]),
to parabens (preservatives in many foods and medicines), or to paraphenylenediamine
(a hair dye).
Pregnancy - Although studies on effects in pregnancy have not
been done in humans, topical anesthetics have not been reported to cause problems
in humans. Lidocaine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems
in animal studies. Other topical anesthetics have not been studied in animals.
Breast-feeding - Topical anesthetics have not been reported to cause
problems in nursing babies.
Children - Benzocaine may be absorbed through the skin of young
children and cause unwanted effects. There is no specific information comparing
use of other topical anesthetics in children with use in other age groups,
but it is possible that they may also cause unwanted effects in young children.
Check with your doctor before using any product that contains a topical anesthetic
for a child younger than 2 years of age.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of topical anesthetics in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of topical anesthetics. Before using a topical
anesthetic, check with your health care professional if you have any other
medical problems, especially:
-
Infection at or near the place of application or
-
Large sores, broken skin, or severe injury at the area of application - The
chance of side effects may be increased
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