The dosage of Emla Patch | The Emla Patch

The dosage of Emla Patch

One Emla patch contains one gram of Emla emulsion. This contains 25mg lidocaine and 25mg prilocaine. Depending on age and previous illnesses, the maximum number of Emla patches per day varies.

Adults and adolescents older than 12 years can also use more than 20 patches without any problems. The dosage is slightly lower in children and significantly reduced in infants. The patches must not be cut or otherwise crushed to reduce the dose.

How much does Emla Patch cost?

Emla plasters are available in pharmacies, but are over-the-counter. Two patches cost just over five euros. A pack of 20 patches can be purchased for about 65 euros. The patches are usually available in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries. Depending on the medical necessity, Emla patches can also be issued as a prescription, especially in pediatrics.

The use in children

Emla plasters are particularly popular in pediatrics. The patches can be applied to the skin before minor procedures such as blood sampling or vaccination. In this way the children do not take the needle prick as painful.

Especially anxious children can be relieved of the fear of subsequent visits to the doctor. Newborns can also be given Emla patches in order to prevent pain and to avoid fear of doctors later on. The frequency and type of possible side effects are largely the same for children and adults.

Only the risk of methemoglobinemia is increased in infants until their first birthday. The maximum daily dose is reduced according to age. Children between the ages of six and eleven may receive up to 20 Emla patches per day.

Children between the ages of one and five should not receive more than 10 patches. Infants from the third month of age may receive two patches and newborns up to the third month may receive one patch. The duration of exposure is also reduced for newborns and infants.

Premature babies before the 37th week of pregnancy should not be given Emla patches, as the risk of methemoglobinemia is greater than in children born ripe. The Emla Patch should be applied at least one hour before the planned procedure. After five hours the anesthetic effect will wear off.

In infants and newborns, the patches should be removed after one hour. In some skin diseases, the required duration of action also changes. Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis should not exceed 30 minutes.