EMLA

Description EMLA is an anaesthetic (numbing) cream that is applied directly to the penis before sex. Description Directions Between 5-30 minutes before you plan on having sex, apply a small, pea-sized amount of EMLA cream to the underside of the penis near the frenulum (commonly known as the ‘banjo string’). Before intercourse, wipe away any excess cream to ensure it does not rub off on your partner, and apply further if you do not feel it working (across a slightly wider area – not on a focused point). Directions Warnings Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following 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. If you experience any of the following effects while you are using EMLA Cream, stop using it and check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible: • Allergic reactions, which in rare cases may develop into anaphylactic shock (skin rash, swelling, fever, respiratory difficulties and fainting) during the treatment of skin, genital mucosa or leg ulcers. • Methaemoglobinaemia (blood disorder), which in rare cases may develop during treatment of the skin, and may cause signs and symptoms of hypoxaemia (abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood). Methaemoglobinaemia is more frequently observed, often in connection with overdose, in newborn infants and infants aged 0 to 12 months. A mild reaction (paleness or redness of the skin, slight puffiness, initial burning or itching) may occur on the area on which EMLA is used. These are normal reactions to the cream and the anaesthetics and will disappear in a short while without any measures being needed. If you experience any troublesome or unusual effects while you are using EMLA, stop using it and check with your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): • Transient local skin reactions (paleness, redness, swelling) in the treated area during treatment of skin, genital mucosa or leg ulcers • An initially mild sensation of burning, itching or warmth at the treated area during the treatment of genital mucosa or leg ulcers. Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): • An initially mild sensation of burning, itching or warmth at the treated area during treatment of the skin • Numbness (tingling) in the treated area during treatment of genital mucosa • Irritation of the treated skin during treatment of leg ulcers. Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): • Small dot-shaped bleeding on the treated area (particularly on children with eczema after longer application times) during treatment of the skin • Irritation of the eyes if EMLA Cream accidentally comes into contact with them during treatment of the skin. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.. Warnings Ingredients What EMLA Cream 5% contains: The active substances are lidocaine and prilocaine. Each gram of cream contains 25 mg of lidocaine and 25 mg of prilocaine. The other ingredients are macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, carbomer 974P, sodium hydroxide and purified water. Ingredients FAQs Can I use EMLA? Men over the age of 18 can request EMLA. However, you will not be suitable for this treatment if you have a G6PD deficiency or certain blood disorders (such as methaemoglobinaemia). If you have an open wound on your penis, you should not use EMLA, as it can cause irritation. Drug interactions with EMLA cream You should be able to use EMLA cream with other medicines, if you have been prescribed it following a thorough consultation. It's important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines, and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe EMLA safely. How effective is EMLA? There is evidence to suggest that EMLA cream has been effective for lots of men. In these studies, it was shown to significantly increase the time between gaining an erection and ejaculation. What is EMLA cream? EMLA Cream is oil-based so it can weaken latex condoms, increasing the risk of them splitting. It is therefore even more important that suitable precautions are taken to avoid pregnancy or transmission of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You might want to invest in polyurethane condoms, which will not be weakened by EMLA. How does EMLA work? EMLA cream contains the active ingredients prilocaine and lidocaine, which are local anaesthetics. This means that the cream reduces sensitivity in the area to which it's applied. Reduced sensitivity at the tip of the penis can delay ejaculation for some men.FAQs