title: Preparation and stability testing of a hydrogel for topical analgesia.
abstract: With the commercial availability of a cream (EMLA) containing a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics, 2.5% (w/w) lidocaine and 2.5% (w/w) prilocaine, effective topical anaesthesia of the intact skin is possible without the need for subcutaneous injections or exposure to high concentrations of local anaesthetics. In our hospital a topical anaesthetic product was designed for the same purpose. The home-made product contains a eutectic mixture of a local anaesthetic (5% w/w) and l-menthol (1% w/w). Prilocaine was used as the local anaesthetic because it is known for its safety and its well investigated analgesic effects. The eutectic mixture of prilocaine and l-menthol was mixed with a carbopol hydrogel (1% w/w). Preliminary testing of this anaesthetic hydrogel in our hospital has yielded satisfactory results. The anaesthetic hydrogel was found to be stable after at least 3 months' storage at ambient temperature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Nortier
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van de Haven
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Koks
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Beijnen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004355:Drug Stability; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000982:Antipruritics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008610:Menthol; D008012:Lidocaine