EMLA: Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics

EMLA, a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics, is made up of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%.

Eutectic means the two anaesthetics, which are normally solids at room temperatures, become an oily preparation when mixed in certain proportions.

EMLA is used for surface anaesthesia, commonly in children.

An alternative is 4% amethocaine gel (Ametop). This acts more quickly and causes more vasodilatation, which is useful for venepuncture.

EMLA is useful for superficial procedures such as splinter removal, whilst amethocaine gel is superior for topical analgesia before venepuncture.[9]