Pliaglis

Generic name: Lidocaine And Tetracaine Topical
Drug class: Topical anesthetics

Usage of Pliaglis

Pliaglis (for use on the skin) is a combination medicine used to numb a small area of your skin. This can help prevent pain during certain medical procedures such as a skin biopsy, minor skin surgery, insertion of an intravenous (IV) needle, or other needle-stick procedures.

Pliaglis is also used to numb a skin area during minor cosmetic procedures such as a Botox injection, laser treatment, or tattoo removal.

Pliaglis may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pliaglis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; wheezing, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers or call your doctor right away if you have:

severe burning, stinging, or other irritation where the medicine was applied;

sudden dizziness or drowsiness after the medicine is applied;

pale, gray, or blue colored skin;

headache, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath;

tiredness, or feeling like you might pass out;

blurred vision, ringing in your ears; or

unusual sensations of hot or cold.

Common side effects include:

skin redness;

skin swelling; or

changes in skin color where the medicine was applied.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Pliaglis

You should not use Pliaglis if you are allergic to:

any type of numbing medicine; or

sunscreen or other skin products that contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

Fatal overdoses have occurred when numbing medicines were used without the advice of a medical doctor (such as during a cosmetic procedure like laser hair removal). Be aware that many cosmetic procedures are performed without a medical doctor present.

The Pliaglis cream should not be used on a child younger than 3 years old. The skin patch is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver disease;

a blood cell disorder called methemoglobinemia (in you or a family member);

a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

a condition for which you take a heart rhythm medicine; or

allergy to any other medicine used for anesthesia.

Older adults and people who are debilitated may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you apply Pliaglis to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth.

The lidocaine and tetracaine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.

Relate drugs

How to use Pliaglis

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

This medicine is usually applied 20 to 30 minutes before your procedure (or 60 minutes before tattoo removal).

Pliaglis comes in a cream or a skin patch.

If you use this medicine at home, read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. If this medicine gets in your mouth, nose, rectum, or vagina, rinse with water.

For a cosmetic procedure, a healthcare professional or other care provider will apply this medicine to your skin.

If you use a Pliaglis skin patch, apply it only to clean, dry, healthy skin on the area to be numbed. Avoid skin that is raw or blistered. Press the patch firmly into place.

You may feel a warming sensation which is normal, but it should not feel unpleasantly hot.

Wash your hands after applying a skin patch.

After your prescribed amount of numbing time, remove the skin patch, then clean and disinfect the skin as recommended by your doctor.

After removing a skin patch: fold it in half with the sticky side in, and throw it away in a place out of the reach of children or pets.

Store unused skin patches at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Both used and unused skin patches should be kept out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of medicine in the skin patches could be harmful to a child or pet who accidentally sucks on or swallows a patch. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Warnings

An overdose of numbing medicine can cause fatal side effects if too much of the medicine is absorbed through your skin. This can happen if you apply more than the recommended dose, or if you leave a skin patch on too long.

Keep both used and unused skin patches out of the reach of children or pets.

What other drugs will affect Pliaglis

Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. However, some drugs can cause conditions that may make it harmful for you to use Pliaglis. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.