Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EMLA versus LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE PRESERVATIVE FREE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EMLA versus LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE PRESERVATIVE FREE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER.
EMLA vs LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE PRESERVATIVE FREE IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
EMLA is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%. Lidocaine and prilocaine are amide-type local anesthetics that block sodium ion channels in neuronal membranes, inhibiting the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses, thereby producing local analgesia.
Lidocaine is an amide-type local anesthetic that stabilizes neuronal membranes by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, thereby inhibiting the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses. It exhibits antiarrhythmic activity by suppressing automaticity and conduction in cardiac tissues.
Apply a thick layer of cream (approximately 2.5 g per 20 cm²) to intact skin under an occlusive dressing for at least 1 hour for minor procedures; for dermal procedures on larger areas, apply up to 60 minutes before procedure, maximum single application area of 600 cm² in adults.
Antiarrhythmic: 1-1.5 mg/kg IV bolus, may repeat 0.5-0.75 mg/kg in 5-10 minutes; maximum total 3 mg/kg. Followed by continuous IV infusion 1-4 mg/min. Local anesthesia: maximum 4.5 mg/kg (300 mg) without epinephrine; 7 mg/kg (500 mg) with epinephrine.
None Documented
None Documented
After topical application, the terminal elimination half-life of lidocaine is approximately 1.5-2 hours; prilocaine half-life is approximately 1.5 hours. In neonates, half-life may be prolonged due to immature hepatic function. Clinical context: Steady state is achieved within 12-24 hours with repeated application.
Terminal elimination half-life: 1.5–2 hours (normal cardiac output and hepatic function). Prolonged in heart failure (up to 10 hours), hepatic disease (up to 5–15 hours), and with continuous infusion (due to saturable metabolism).
Lidocaine and prilocaine are metabolized in the liver; lidocaine metabolites (primarily 4-hydroxyxylidine) and prilocaine metabolites (primarily o-toluidine) are excreted renally. Less than 5% of unchanged lidocaine and prilocaine are excreted unchanged in urine. Fecal excretion is negligible.
Renal: ~90% as metabolites (including monoethylglycinexylidide [MEGX] and glycinexylidide [GX]) and ~10% unchanged. Biliary/fecal: <3%.
Category C
Category A/B
Local Anesthetic
Local Anesthetic / Antiarrhythmic (Class Ib)