View Full Version : Lidicaine spray instead of EMLA
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 10:19 AM
We bought a Lidocaine spray (a 10% one) to use for numbing. EMLA is 2.5% Lidocaine plus 2.5% somethingelse-aine. LMX4 (another numbing cream) is Lidocaind 4% (and something else?).
Questions:
. Will this spray be able to reach subcutaneous tissue as deeply as gel or cream would?
. The box says apply ~10 minutes before. Which is way different from EMLA/Lidocaine's 75 minute. What am i missing?
We dont want to figure this one out by trial and error. We simply cant afford to!
My strong preference is LMX-4, which for Marissa worked in about 15 minutes compared with an hour for EMLA.
Hollyb
12-18-2006, 10:34 AM
Have any of our Canadian members been able to find LMX in Canada? I haven't.
Ellen
12-18-2006, 10:59 AM
Is the licoaine spray 10% safe to use on a small child? What about repeatedly long term? I'd want the opinion of a doctor.
wellsfamily
12-18-2006, 11:03 AM
Hi - is LMX4 a prescription? Our medical only covers generic (ie Lidocaine cream) anything else we pay a fortune for.
Heather
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 11:13 AM
Just came across this:
http://xpedio02.childrenshc.org/stellent/groups/public/@manuals/@pfs/@med/documents/policyreferenceprocedure/018866.pdf
EmmasMom
12-18-2006, 11:44 AM
We use LMX 4 and it seems to work very well, it is over the counter, so you don't need a Rx.
Is the spray you're using called "Less Pain"? I've heard several parents talk about using it. It's fast, easy, and much less expensive than the creams. I don't know if it works as well, you'll have to let us know!
On a side note... I was recently told by the pedi ER nurses here to "never put Emla on before an IV or blood draw". They said it causes the blood vessels to constrict and makes it very difficult to get the needle in a small vein. Who knew...
BrendaK
12-18-2006, 11:44 AM
My strong preference is LMX-4, which for Marissa worked in about 15 minutes compared with an hour for EMLA.
Is this a prescription? I'd love to get something that works faster!!! We only use EMLA on the rear, not the tummy, but it's such a pain that it takes an hour.
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 12:33 PM
Does anybody happen to know what exactly the formula of LMX4 is?
I know it has 4% Lidocaine, but dont know and need to know if anything else is in it.
LMX-4 is non-prescription.
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 12:33 PM
Is the spray you're using called "Less Pain"?
No. It's kinda a 'made in iran' one.
I still cant understand whether or not 15-30 minutes will be enough or not.
I don't know if it works as well, you'll have to let us know!
I will. My sister believes that the spray works better. I insisted though to use both the spray AND Lidocaine. Tommorow is a set change day. I finally 'accepted' to try the spray only. 2 puffs every 10 minutes for about 30 minutes.
We'll cross our fingers and play it by ear.
On a side note... I was recently told by the pedi ER nurses here to "never put Emla on before an IV or blood draw". They said it causes the blood vessels to constrict and makes it very difficult to get the needle in a small vein. Who knew...
There is a similar note in this:
http://xpedio02.childrenshc.org/stellent/groups/public/@manuals/@pfs/@med/documents/policyreferenceprocedure/018866.pdf
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 12:34 PM
Is the licoaine spray 10% safe to use on a small child? What about repeatedly long term? I'd want the opinion of a doctor.
That is an issue i agree but watching him cry and then sit down for 15 minutes because of pain is an issue too.
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 12:36 PM
Our main problem i guess is that we dont use Tegaderm or IV3000 to cover the gel... well we dont have IV3000 or Tegaderm yet.
selketine
12-18-2006, 01:18 PM
On a side note... I was recently told by the pedi ER nurses here to "never put Emla on before an IV or blood draw". They said it causes the blood vessels to constrict and makes it very difficult to get the needle in a small vein. Who knew...
I think this happened with William. The pedi told me to go ahead and use it (as though I'd be stupid not to!) so I did both arms - and they couldn't get a vein on either of them and ended up using his hand instead. :( Argh!
Do you know if the LMX-4 causes the same issue if we use it before a blood draw?
EmmasMom
12-18-2006, 02:13 PM
Yes, Carol, I'm pretty sure the LMX does the same thing. We had LMX on Emma's hands in anticipation of a an IV the last time we took her in and no one could get a vein. It also made her whole hand slippery and they had a hard time holding it down which complicated things too. (I told them it needed to be thoroughly washed!!!:mad: )
They ended up sticking her where there wasn't any cream after several attempts. It was a nightmare and we won't be trying it again for IV's or blood draws.
EmmasMom
12-18-2006, 02:20 PM
Ingredients: L.M.X. 4 contains a 4% concentration of lidocaine. It also contains benzyl alcohol 1.5% (as a preservative), carbomer 940, cholesterol, hydrogenated lecithin, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, trolamine, vitamin E acetate and water
It's fully effective in 30 minutes!!:)
payam7777777
12-18-2006, 02:43 PM
Thanks Amy. Very helpful.
wellsfamily
12-20-2006, 06:00 PM
Just a little tip - we have access to the IV prep to cover the cream, but don't use it. Our nurse suggested plain old plastic (saran) wrap that you use to cover food. I simply put a piece of that over the cream and make sure Aidan's underwear band is holding the plastic in place. It's always available, and a lot cheaper too. It has always worked for us, and plus you don't have to peel it off since it isn't really "stuck" to the skin.
Heather
Twinklet
12-20-2006, 07:35 PM
I just bought some LMX today. Thanks for the tip!
payam7777777
12-23-2006, 08:26 PM
The 10% Lidocaine spray worked very well. I wasnt there when my sister changed Ali's set but she says it's very good.
We do it like this:
1) 2 puffs/minute for 15 minutes
2) Wait 15 minutes
3) Insert.
Kris60
12-24-2006, 12:39 AM
http://www.ferndalelabs.com/pdf/LMX4msds.pdf
that is the MSDS on it.