Alternatives to EMLA cream ?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I know there's another kind, not the spray one though..ds seems to be allergic to EMLA - thanks !

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Ametop don't know how the ingredients differ though

that's the name - thanks ! will check it out

DS comes out in rash with emla - hospital said its quite common. He just has the freeze spray and promise of a treat for being a brave soldier! We just put up with the rash when he needed a GA though!

yes, a rash isn't going to be too bad, and it went down ok before...

I thought the ametop took longer? Or was more likely to cause irritation ? sorry, can't remember which.

EMLA takes an hour and reactions are common (local swelling etc). Ametop takes 1/2hr. Spray takes seconds! We use the spray in our childrens outpatients department. Hope that helps

.... also, the thing with the rash... when the area is all swollen, then the blood taking person (or whoever) can't use that site to find a vein....

I'll ask ds again about spray - he is just about nervous of anything like that - sprays,cream,plasters - I need valium (for me0 before we go I think

Well thanks S&M, I can never remember!

Is Ametop more expensive then? It seems odd that the default position is something that takes longer and is more likely to cause a reaction.

MAS I get my emla from the GP, my DS is quite happy to let me apply it (and the special covers, i do backs of both hands and crooks of both elbows) so that he is all ready numb by the time we get there, so no hanging around working selves into states.

thanks too Marmaduke - will have a talk to ds,see what he wants to do this time

MScarlet - just checked in the BNF - emla is £1.73 for a 5g tube, and ametop is £1.08 for a 1.5g tube, so yes, more expensive. (Oops these are 2007 prices - bound to have gone up). Ametop also has to be kept in the fridge so its a bit more of a faff. If someone is having a cannula put in, rather than a 'simple' blood test, ametop has to be on for 45 mins. Also, btw - emla isn't licensed for children under 1 year - ametop can be used in neonates.

Spray is dead good - I give monthly intra muscular injections to some patients and they like the spray.

See, thats what happens if I have a peek on MN before I head off home! Byee!

an update - he had the freezing spray and it worked a treat - the easiest blood test ever !!