Benzocaine
Patient Counselling
Use:
· Benzocaine temporarily relieves pain and dryness and softens crust (scabs) associated with cold sores and/or fever blisters.
· It is for external use only.
Directions of use:
· Adults and children 2 years of age and older: apply to the affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily with cotton, cotton applicator/swab or a finger tip.
· Children under 2 years of age: consult with a doctor.
· Children under 12 years of age: adult supervision should be given in the use of this product.
· Do not use more than it is directed.
· You may feel a brief stinging sensation when you apply it; the sting should go away in a short period of time.
· Do not eat or drink for 1 hour following oral application.
Warnings:
· If you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics such as procaine, butacaine, benzocaine, or other “caine” anesthetics, do not use this product.
· Do not use over deep or puncture wounds, infections, or lacerations. Consult with a doctor.
· Do not get into the eyes.
· Some may notice a thin white powder on the lips after treatment; it is due to the benzocaine that did not get absorbed into the lips and is normal.
· It’s flammable; keep away from fire or flame.
Consult with a doctor if:
· Condition worsens;
· Symptoms persist for more than 7 days;
· Symptoms clear up and occur again within a few days; and/or
· You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References:
· Benzocaine temporarily relieves pain and dryness and softens crust (scabs) associated with cold sores and/or fever blisters.
· It is for external use only.
Directions of use:
· Adults and children 2 years of age and older: apply to the affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily with cotton, cotton applicator/swab or a finger tip.
· Children under 2 years of age: consult with a doctor.
· Children under 12 years of age: adult supervision should be given in the use of this product.
· Do not use more than it is directed.
· You may feel a brief stinging sensation when you apply it; the sting should go away in a short period of time.
· Do not eat or drink for 1 hour following oral application.
Warnings:
· If you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics such as procaine, butacaine, benzocaine, or other “caine” anesthetics, do not use this product.
· Do not use over deep or puncture wounds, infections, or lacerations. Consult with a doctor.
· Do not get into the eyes.
· Some may notice a thin white powder on the lips after treatment; it is due to the benzocaine that did not get absorbed into the lips and is normal.
· It’s flammable; keep away from fire or flame.
Consult with a doctor if:
· Condition worsens;
· Symptoms persist for more than 7 days;
· Symptoms clear up and occur again within a few days; and/or
· You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References:
- Benzocaine monograph. Heath Canada: Drug and Health Products. Available from: http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=oral.hcp&lang=eng. Last updated on March 24, 2014. Accessed July 19, 2014.
- Drug Facts: Viroxyn®. Available from: http://www.viroxyn.com/node/7. Accessed June 1, 2014.
- Anbesol® cold sore therapy labeling. Available from: http://www.anbesol.com/label/coldsore. Accessed June 1, 2014.
- Orajel for cold sores single dose (benzalkonium chloride, benzocaine) liquid. Available from: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=71148. Last updated on April 2012. Accessed June 1, 2014.
- Orajel for cold sores (benzocaine) cream. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=29632. Last updated on July 2010. Accessed June 1, 2014.
- Information Update – Benzocaine health products: new risk statements to be added to product labels. CNW. Available from: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/951475/information-update-benzocaine-health-products-new-risk-statements-to-be-added-to-product-labels. Last updated on April 2013. Accessed June 1, 2014.