ABSTRACT
EMLA cream is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine in a ratio of 1:1 by weight. The melting point is below room temperature so both exist as liquid oil rather than as crystals. It is packaged in 5 gram and 30 gram tubes as well as an anesthetic disc. EMLA cream is used as an analgesic before percutaneous catheterization and superficial minor surgical procedures. EMLA cream may not provide adequate analgesia for procedures involving the deeper subcutaneous structures. Subcutaneous infiltration with a local anesthetic may be necessary. Application of EMLA cream to broken or inflamed skin may result in increased systemic absorption and toxicity. ELA-Max cream consists of liposomal encapsulated 4% lidocaine preparation. The liposomal preparation allows lidocaine to persist in the epidermis. This product has been evaluated in cats at a dose of 15 mg/kg applied to clipped skin with no apparent adverse effects. Analgesic effectiveness has not been assessed.
