What it is used for
- Relieving sore throat pain (lozenges and spray)
- Relieving pain from mouth ulcers and minor gum soreness
- Relieving minor skin pain such as sunburn, minor burns and insect bites
- With other ingredients in ear drops to ease ear pain, on a doctor's advice
How it is used
- Lozenges are left to dissolve slowly in the mouth, not chewed or swallowed whole; do not eat or drink until the numbness wears off
- The mouth and throat spray or the gel is applied to the sore area as the leaflet directs
- The skin spray is used on the affected skin, not on open wounds or large areas
- Ear drops are warmed in the hand and put into the ear with the head tilted, only after a doctor has checked the eardrum is intact
- It is for short-term use only; follow the leaflet and ask your pharmacist
Possible side effects
- Numbness or mild stinging where it is applied
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching or swelling
- Rarely, a serious condition that lowers oxygen in the blood (methaemoglobinaemia): pale, grey or blue skin, lips or nails, breathlessness, headache and a fast heartbeat
Who should not use it
- Do not use it if you are allergic to benzocaine, similar local anaesthetics such as procaine, or any ingredient in the product
- Do not use it in babies and young children, or for teething pain
- Do not use ear drops if the eardrum is perforated or there is discharge from the ear
Before and while using it
- Get medical help straight away if the skin, lips or nails turn pale, grey or blue
- While the mouth and throat are numb, take care with hot food and drinks and avoid biting your tongue or choking
- See a doctor if a sore throat is severe, lasts more than a few days, or comes with a high temperature, rash or difficulty swallowing
- Do not use it on large areas, broken skin or for long periods
- People with G6PD deficiency (favism) or a past history of methaemoglobinaemia are at higher risk; ask a doctor first
Medicine interactions
- Do not use other numbing products at the same time unless your doctor or pharmacist advises it
- Tell your pharmacist if you take medicines that can raise the risk of methaemoglobinaemia, such as dapsone and nitrates
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Short-term local use is usually considered acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding; ask your doctor or pharmacist first
How to store it
- Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture, out of the sight and reach of children.
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.