What is LMX4 Lidocaine 4% Cream

LMX4 is a type of medicine called a local anaesthetic used to numb an area of the body.

LMX4 temporarily numbs the surface of the skin. It can be used to provide pain relief when a needle is inserted into the skin for clinical purposes, such as into a vein (venipuncture or venous cannulation). It may also be used to numb the skin prior to administration of painful topical treatments on larger surface areas of intact skin.

How to use LMX4 Lidocaine 4% Cream

Always use LMX4 exactly as instructed in this leaflet. Ask the doctor, nurse or other trained person involved in your treatment immediately if you have any questions.

How you use LMX4 depends upon why you are using the product. Make sure you follow the correct dosage. If you require further advice the doctor, nurse or other trained person involved in your treatment can either apply the cream for you, or show you where and how you should use the cream. 

Precautions when using LMX4:

• For external use only. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
• Do not apply to raw or blistered skin, in the ear, inside the nose, in the mouth, to the anus (back passage), where there is a skin rash or eczema, or where there are cuts, grazes or wounds.
• Avoid getting LMX4 cream in your eyes, as it may cause irritation. If you accidentally get any in your eye, immediately rinse it well with lukewarm water or sodium chloride (salt) solution and protect it until sensation returns.
• LMX4 blocks all sensations in the treated area. Avoid scratching, rubbing and exposure to extreme hot and cold until the anaesthetic effect has worn off.

Dosage and how to apply LMX4 to provide pain relief when inserting a needle into the skin and a vein:

1g of cream is approximately equal to a 5cm length of cream squeezed from the 5g tube or 3.5cm squeezed from the 30g tube.

Adults, including the elderly, and children over 1 year of age: 1g to 2.5g of cream, to cover an area of skin 2.5cm x 2.5cm (1"x1") where the needle will be inserted. Do not leave on the skin for longer than 5 hours.

Infants over 3 months but below 1 year of age: No more than 1g of cream should be applied. Do not leave on the skin for longer than 4 hours.

Infants over 1 month but below 3 months of age: No more than 1g of cream should be applied. Do not leave on the skin for longer than 1 hour.

Do not use on infants below one month old.

• Apply LMX4 at least 30 minutes before the procedure starts.
• Using the quantity stated above, apply the cream in a uniform layer to the skin.
• If told to do so, cover the cream with a dressing, to prevent it being accidentally rubbed off the skin.
• Shortly before the procedure is due to begin, remove the dressing and remove the cream thoroughly with a gauze swab.

Dosage and how to apply LMX4 to provide anaesthesia prior to administration for painful topical treatments on larger surface areas of intact skin:

1g of cream is approximately equal to a 5cm length of cream squeezed from the 5g tube or 3.5cm squeezed from the 30g tube.

Adults and the elderly aged 18 years and over: Use 1.5g to 2g on each 10cm2 area of skin, to cover a maximum total area of 900cm2 (approximately equal to a back or thigh).

Do not exceed the recommended dose.

• Apply LMX4 approximately 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure starts.
• Using the quantities stated above, apply the cream in a uniform layer to the skin.
• Ensure the cream is not accidentally rubbed off the skin.
• Shortly before the procedure is due to begin, remove the cream thoroughly with a gauze swab.

What does LMX4 Lidocaine 4% Cream contain

The active substance is lidocaine. 1g of cream contains 40mg of lidocaine.

The other ingredients are benzyl alcohol, carbomers, cholesterol, phospholipon 80H (hydrogenated soy lecithin), polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, trolamine, vitamin E acetate and purified water.