FAQ's

LMX4® is a brand name for a topical cream that contains an anaesthetic called lignocaine in a strength available over the counter at your pharmacy.

Lignocaine preparations are commonly used by physicians and other health care
professionals to numb the skin prior to performing cosmetic procedures, obtaining blood specimens, and other such procedures. LMX4® is indicated for skin procedures, including insertion of IV catheters and blood sampling for adults and children 2 years of age and over.

LMX4 is used for adults and children 2 years of age and over. It is not recommended for use on children under 2 years of age.

You can use LMX4 with or without occlusion. Application instructions are here

For more information, read the full Consumer Medicine Information Summary here

LMX4® is available from pharmacies without a prescription and is used by healthcare professionals prior to medical procedures. Always read the label.

Do not use LMX4® if you or your child have an allergy to LMX4®, or any of the ingredients listed

lidocaine (lignocaine) 40mg/g
benzyl alcohol
carbomer 940
cholesterol
lecithin – hydrogenated
polysorbate 80
propylene gycol
triethanolamine
dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate
water-purified

•  Any medicine containing lignocaine.
• Any other similar medicines (other local anesthetics, for example those used at the dentist).
• Adhesives or sticking plasters

Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• Rash, itching or hives on the skin

Do not use this medicine on premature babies. Safety and effectiveness in infants who are not full term, have not been established.

Do not use LMX4® after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packing is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should use LMX4®, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to use it, tell your doctor if you or your child have allergies to any other medicine, foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• You are acutely ill or elderly (you will be more sensitive to lignocaine)
• You have severe liver (hepatic) disease

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

The ingredients in LMX4® have been used for many years and no ill effects have been shown if they are used while you are pregnant.

Only very small amounts of LMX4® get into the blood, so even though your baby can take LMX4® from breast milk if LMX4® you are breast feeding, it is unlikely to cause any problems.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start using LMX4®.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child is taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and LMX4® may interfere with each other. These include:

• Medicines used to treat arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) such as tocainide, mexiletine and amiodarone.
• Other local anaesthetics.

These medicines may be affected by LMX4® or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using this medicine.

Things you must do:

• Remember to apply LMX4® on intact skin at least half an hour (30 minutes) before your procedure is due.
• Depending on your procedure this time may vary and your doctor will advise you of this.
• If you do not, you or your child’s appointment may have to be delayed, or the procedure may hurt more than it would otherwise.
• Be sure to follow the instruction in the package leaflet on how to apply LMX4® cream carefully.
• Make sure the dressing covering the cream is firmly fixed, especially on young children.
• If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use and seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
  
  

Things you must not do:

• Do not apply LMX4® to damaged or diseased skin. LMX4® is for external use only.
• Do not use LMX4® to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
  
  

Things to be careful of:

• Be careful not to let LMX4® get into your eyes. It may cause eye irritation. If LMX4® does get into your eyes, immediately rinse them with large amounts of water and contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Be careful not to inadvertently injure the anaesthetised area where LMX4® has been applied. Be careful not to scratch, rub or accidently expose the treated area to extreme cold or heat until complete sensation has returned.
  
  

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you or your child do not feel well while using LMX4®.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.