LMX4 Lidocaine 4% Cream is a local anaesthetic that eases pain when inserting a needle into a vein or having a cannula. LMX4 contains lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. This means that LMX4 works by numbing the area of the body to which it is applied, easing pain caused by inserting a needle into a vein or pain caused by topical treatments applied to the skin. To use before inserting a needle into the skin or a vein: Apply at least 30 minutes before the procedure. Children over the age of 1 and adults: Use 1-2.5g of cream to cover an area of skin around 2.5cm x 2.5cm. Do not leave on the skin for more than 5 hours. Infants over 3 months but under 1 year old: Apply no more than 1g of cream. Do not leave it on the skin for longer than 4 hours. Infants over 1 month but below 3 months old: Apply no more than 1g of cream. Do not leave it on the skin for longer than an hour. To provide anaesthesia before a painful topical treatment over larger areas of skin: Apply 30-60 minutes before the procedure. Adults: Use 1.5-2g of cream for each 10 x 10cm area of skin you wish to treat. Apply an even layer and ensure it isn’t rubbed off the skin until just before the procedure begins when it should be removed with a gauze swab. Do not use this product on large areas of the skin in anyone under 18 years old. Like all medicines, LMX4 Lidocaine 4% Cream may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects may include: Skin irritation Redness Itching Dryness Rashes