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Buy EMLA cream 5%
EMLA is a local anaesthetic cream containing the active ingredients lidocaine and prilocaine. It contains 25mg of each, making up the combined 5% strength. It temporarily numbs the surface of your skin, helping to reduce pain during certain procedures, like injections, blood tests, and minor skin procedures.
What is EMLA numbing cream used for?
EMLA cream can be used to numb the skin to treat certain conditions or before medical procedures, like:
- having an injection (like weight loss injections)
- having a blood test
- minor skin procedures
How does EMLA cream work?
EMLA contains two local anaesthetics, lidocaine and prilocaine. They work by temporarily numbing the skin's surface where the cream is applied.
This reduces pain during procedures, like injections. EMLA doesn't necessarily remove all sensation, though, so you may still be able to feel pressure and touch.
How long does EMLA cream take to work?
How long EMLA takes to work depends on where you're using it and the procedure you're having. For adults and children over 12 undergoing a small procedure on intact skin, like an injection, EMLA is usually applied at least 60 minutes beforehand.
Different application times are recommended for other uses. Always check the patient information leaflet provided or follow the instructions given by your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
How long does EMLA cream last?
The numbing effect of EMLA usually lasts between 1-2 hours after it's been applied. It can be left on the skin for up to five hours, depending on the duration of the procedure, but leaving it on too long may increase the risk of mild skin reactions.
How to use EMLA cream
How much EMLA cream you need and how long you should leave it on for depends on what you're using it for. For small procedures on the skin:
- Apply the cream in a thick mound over the area that needs to be numbed. Don’t rub it in.
- Cover the cream with an appropriate dressing.
- Leave the dressing in place for the recommended amount of time.
- Remove the dressing and cream immediately before the procedure.
How to use EMLA cream for injections
To use EMLA before an injection, for example, Mounjaro and Wegovy injections, apply a thick layer to clean, dry skin and cover it with an airtight dressing. After 60 minutes, remove the cream and inject as directed.
Possible EMLA cream side effects
Like all medicines, EMLA cream can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Common side effects (affecting up to one in ten people) may include:
- local skin reactions (paleness, redness, swelling)
- a mild sensation of burning, itching, or warmth
For more information on side effects, including potentially serious side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.
Who shouldn’t use EMLA cream?
Don't use EMLA cream if you're allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, similar local anaesthetics, or any of its other listed ingredients. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before using it if you:
- have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- have methaemoglobinaemia
- have atopic dermatitis
- take certain medicines that may interact with EMLA, including some medicines for heart rhythm problems
- are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy
Unless you've been specifically advised otherwise, EMLA shouldn't be applied to cuts, grazes, or other open wounds. There are separate instructions for its use on leg ulcers.
Avoid getting EMLA in or near your eyes, and don't apply it inside the nose, ears, or mouth, in the anus, or to children's genitals.
EMLA shouldn't be used in premature newborn babies. Further age-specific precautions also apply to babies and children, so check the leaflet carefully before using it on a child.
Storage information
- Keep EMLA cream out of the sight and reach of children.
- Don’t store it above 30°C.
- Don’t freeze.
- Don’t use it after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
- Don't dispose of unwanted medicines in household waste or wastewater. Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need.
Alternatives to EMLA cream
Depending on what you’re using EMLA cream for, alternatives include:
- LMX4 cream: A lidocaine 4% cream used to numb the skin before certain needle procedures, like a cannula.
- Xylocaine spray: A lidocaine-containing spray used to numb specific areas of the body, like the nose and throat, to reduce pain and reflex gagging before certain procedures.
Frequently asked questions about EMLA cream
Can I buy EMLA cream over-the-counter in the UK?
Yes, you’re able to buy EMLA cream over-the-counter in the UK. This means that while you don’t need a prescription, you’ll still need to answer a few questions beforehand.
Can you put EMLA cream on a burn?
EMLA shouldn't be applied to burns. If you have a burn, ask your pharmacist about an appropriate treatment.
Can EMLA cream be used on broken skin?
Generally, no. EMLA shouldn't be used on cuts, grazes, or other open wounds. The exception is its use on leg ulcers, where treatment should be supervised by a doctor or nurse.
Can EMLA cream work in 30 minutes?
It depends on what you're using it for. For small procedures, EMLA should be left on for at least 60 minutes. Don't shorten the recommended application time unless the instructions for your particular use say to do so.
Is EMLA cream or Ametop gel better for blood tests and cannulas?
Ametop gel is generally the better option for blood tests and cannulas, and it works faster (about 30-45 minutes) than EMLA cream. If you’re having one of these tests done, speak to your healthcare provider to see which product they recommend.
Does numbing cream work for tattoos?
Yes, numbing cream works for tattoos. However, when it starts to wear off, the pain can hit you all at once and feel much more intense. It might also be harder for the artist to work on your skin.
Before you use a numbing cream, speak to your artist to see what they recommend.
Sources
- EMLA cream 5% patient information leaflet. Electronic medicines compendium (emc). [Accessed 3rd November 2026].
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