Prilocaine Cream for Cannulation

Age-Specific Restrictions and Dosing

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that infants less than 12 months old who are receiving methemoglobin-inducing agents should not use lidocaine-prilocaine cream 1, 2, 3

Important Safety Considerations

• The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that very young patients, those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiencies, and patients taking oxidizing drugs are more susceptible to methemoglobinemia caused by the prilocaine component 4
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against concurrent use of acetaminophen with lidocaine-prilocaine cream, and recommends using ibuprofen or other non-aspirin analgesics instead 1, 2, 3

Practical Implementation

• The European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging suggests applying cream 1 hour before venous access to reduce pain and anxiety 5