Plasma concentrations and analgesic effect of EMLA (Lidocaine/Prilocaine) cream for the cleansing of leg ulcers

• Published in: Acta dermato-venereologica Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 227 - 230
• Main Authors: MALMROS, I. E, NILSEN, T, LILLIEBORG, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uppsala Acta dermato-venereologica 01.01.1990
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anesthetics, Local - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations - analysis; Female; Humans; Leg Ulcer - blood; Lidocaine - analysis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neuropharmacology; Ointments; Pain Measurement; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prilocaine - analysis; Random Allocation; Human; Drug combination; Skin disease; Cream; Blood; Leg; Blood plasma; Local anesthetic; Analgesia; Local administration; Distribution; Dosage form; Ulcer; Pharmacokinetics; Topical administration
• ISSN: 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• DOI: 10.2340/0001555570227230

Plasma concentrations of lidocaine and prilocaine were assessed in 8 patients after the application of 8-10 g EMLA 2% cream for 60 min to leg ulcers measuring 31-80 cm2. Maximum individual plasma concentrations were 205 ng/ml for lidocaine and 79 ng/ml for prilocaine, which is twenty times lower than those associated with toxicity. The analgesic effect of EMLA 2% and 5% cream for the surgical cleansing of leg ulcers was compared in a double-blind, four-period, cross-over study in 10 patients. The ulcer was covered with a thick layer of cream for 30 min before four consecutive debridements 1-4 days apart. While the 2% and 5% creams had similar analgesic effects post-cleansing pain tended to be more frequent with the 2% cream.