Prescription
Prescription RequiredCompoundedLidocaine | Tetracaine Gel
Topical numbing gel that contains lidocaine and tetracaine. This gel is designed to help reduce pain on the skin before certain office-based skin or scalp procedures. A gel may be easier to apply and remove from hair-bearing areas, such as the scalp, than greasy ointment products. Use only as directed by a licensed healthcare provider and only on the area being treated.
Requires a valid prescription from your provider. Not sure if it's right for you? Ask a pharmacist.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Compounded products are not FDA-approved and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice — always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
Clinical information
Medication information for patients and providers.
Use as directed by your healthcare provider. Apply a thin layer only to the skin area being treated, for the amount of time your provider recommends, and remove it as instructed before or after the procedure. Do not apply more than prescribed, do not cover with tight dressings unless told to do so, and do not use on large areas, broken skin, or for longer than directed. Wash your hands after applying unless your hands are the treated area.
This medication works by temporarily blocking nerve signals in the skin. Lidocaine and tetracaine are local anesthetics that reduce the skin's ability to send pain messages to the brain. Patients may start to feel numbing within about 20 to 60 minutes, but the exact timing depends on where it is used, how much is applied, and how long it stays on the skin. The numbing effect may last for several hours after removal, which can help make skin or scalp procedures more comfortable.
Do not use if you are allergic to lidocaine, tetracaine, other local anesthetics, or any ingredient in this product, because a serious allergic reaction may occur. Do not use in or near the eyes, inside the mouth, deep open wounds, badly damaged skin, or on large body areas unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so, because this can increase drug absorption and raise the risk of serious side effects. Do not use in infants or young children unless specifically prescribed by a qualified clinician. Do not use if you have a history of methemoglobinemia or certain serious heart rhythm problems unless your healthcare provider decides the benefits outweigh the risks. Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, have severe liver disease, or have very sensitive or inflamed skin before use.
This medication may interact with other products that numb the skin, such as lidocaine patches, benzocaine products, or other local anesthetics, and this may increase the risk of toxicity. Use extra caution with heart rhythm medicines such as amiodarone, mexiletine, or procainamide, because combined effects may increase the chance of heart-related side effects. Medicines that can raise the risk of methemoglobinemia include nitrates, nitrites, dapsone, sulfonamide antibiotics, and some numbing products used in the mouth or throat; ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before combining them. Severe liver disease may slow how the body clears these drugs. Avoid applying heat over the treated area, because heat can increase absorption. Alcohol does not directly interact on the skin, but avoid heavy alcohol use if you feel dizzy or unwell after treatment.
Very common: temporary redness, mild burning, stinging, tingling, or pale skin at the application site. Common: swelling, itching, skin irritation, tenderness, or numbness that lasts longer than expected after the procedure. Less common: dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurry vision, nausea, metallic taste, or feeling shaky, which may be signs that too much medicine was absorbed. Rare but serious: allergic reaction with rash, hives, swelling, or trouble breathing; seizures; irregular heartbeat; or methemoglobinemia, which may cause blue or gray lips, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, or confusion. Most mild skin effects go away within a few hours after the gel is removed. Get medical help right away for serious symptoms.
Store at room temperature, usually 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C), unless your pharmacy label says otherwise. Keep the container tightly closed and protect from excess heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom or inside a hot car. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medication through a pharmacy take-back program when available.
Frequently asked questions.
A gel may feel lighter and less greasy in the hair than an ointment. It can also be easier to spread on the scalp and easier to wash out after a procedure.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for when to apply it. In many cases, local numbing creams or gels are put on ahead of the procedure to give the medicine time to work, but the exact timing depends on the treatment area and procedure.
Do not use it on broken, raw, or badly irritated skin unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to. Damaged skin can absorb more medicine and increase the risk of serious side effects.
Mild numbness can last for several hours after use. If numbness is severe, lasts much longer than expected, or you also feel dizzy, short of breath, or notice blue or gray lips, get medical help right away.
This gel may be useful before certain skin or scalp procedures when a topical numbing product is appropriate. It should only be used under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider, since not every procedure or body area is safe for this medication.
Do not cover it with an airtight dressing unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Covering the area can increase how much medicine your body absorbs and raise the risk of side effects.
Yes, in many cases the gel can be washed out more easily than greasy ointments once the procedure is done and your provider says it is okay. Follow any after-care steps from your clinic, especially if you had a procedure on the scalp.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding before using this product. They can help decide if the expected benefit is worth any possible risk based on the area being treated and how much product is needed.
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