english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2010 > Anaesthetic creams used cosmetically: risk of death as a result of overdose

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Anaesthetic creams used cosmetically: risk of death as a result of overdose

Anaesthetic creams sometimes cause severe, even fatal, adverse effects when they are applied to large areas of skin.

It is dangerous to apply anaesthetic creams over large areas of skin. Local anaesthetic creams sometimes cause severe adverse effects including cardiac arrhythmia and convulsions.

These effects have severe consequences in the event of massive overdose in children.

North American public bodies have warned that adults can also be affected. In Canada, the health minister issued an alert following the occurrence of severe adverse effects after the application of anaesthetic creams on large areas of skin, mostly prior to laser epilation. Some deaths were reported.

The American FDA reported convulsions leading to the deaths of two young women after the application of a local anaesthetic on their legs before laser epilation.

Other severe adverse effects recorded include cardiac arrhythmia, comas and respiratory arrest.

The use of local anaesthetic creams over large areas of skin should be avoided, especially for mundane cosmetic treatments like epilation.

©Prescrire 1 October 2010

"Anaesthetic ointments: fatal overdose in adults" Prescrire Int 2010 ; 19 (109) : 218. (Pdf, subscribers only)
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