Lidocaine-prilocaine
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Lidocaine-prilocaine is a topical anesthetic, which can be used for symptomatic treatment of cold sores (1). Primary literature to support its use for this indication is lacking; however one randomized controlled trial has been done which showed it may be effective for reducing duration of symptoms and eruptions (1,2). This study included a very small sample size and had a number of weaknesses, but is the only primary literature available looking specifically at lidocaine-prilocaine as treatment for cold sores (2). Because of this, overall evidence for the use of lidocaine-prilocaine is fairly limited. Even though evidence for symptom reduction is limited, it may provide temporary relief of pain and itching and studies demonstrated minimal adverse reactions when used as a topical agent (1,2). This product is not available in Canada (3,4).
References:
Lidocaine-prilocaine is a topical anesthetic, which can be used for symptomatic treatment of cold sores (1). Primary literature to support its use for this indication is lacking; however one randomized controlled trial has been done which showed it may be effective for reducing duration of symptoms and eruptions (1,2). This study included a very small sample size and had a number of weaknesses, but is the only primary literature available looking specifically at lidocaine-prilocaine as treatment for cold sores (2). Because of this, overall evidence for the use of lidocaine-prilocaine is fairly limited. Even though evidence for symptom reduction is limited, it may provide temporary relief of pain and itching and studies demonstrated minimal adverse reactions when used as a topical agent (1,2). This product is not available in Canada (3,4).
References:
- 1. Conklin JS. Chapter 92: Cold Sores. In: Patient Self-Care – helping your patient make therapeutic choices. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010:889-896.
- Cassuto J. Topical local anaesthetics and herpes simplex. Lancet. 1989; 1(8629):100-101
- Lexicomp. EMLA. Accessed July 20th, 2014 from.
http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch _f/7179#f_interactions. - Micromedex. Lidocaine/Prilocaine. Accessed July 20th, 2014 from, http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2.