Lanacane Anaesthetic (3% w/w Benzocaine) Cream (30g)

Product Summary

Lanacane is an anaesthetic cooling cream. The active ingredient is benzocaine. It is formulated to provide fast relief from itching and irritation from conditions such as insect bites and stings, nettle stings, everyday cuts and scrapes, skin chafe, external vaginal and external anal (back passage) itching.

Benzocaine works below the skin surface to numb sensory nerves, to stop itching and irritation fast and eliminate the urge to scratch.

Directions

• Lanacane is for external use on the skin by adults and children aged 12 years and over.
• Apply the cream to the affected area.
• You can repeat the treatment as needed up to 3 times daily for up to one week.
• If symptoms persist for more than one week, consult your doctor.

Ingredients

• Active Ingredient: 3% w/w Benzocaine.
• Also contains Chlorothymol, Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, Docusate Sodium, Perfume, Glycerol, Glycerol Monostearate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sulfonated Castor Oil, Trolamine, water, Zinc Oxide.

Warnings and Restrictions

Medicines are not always suitable for everyone.

Before you use Lanacane, you should consult your doctor if you have general itching all over your body.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Lanacane if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without first consulting a doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

There are no effects on the ability to drive and use machines.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Lanacane:

Lanacane contains sulphonated castor oil, which may cause skin reactions.

Do NOT use Lanacane:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to benzocaine or to any of the other ingredients in this product, or to any other local-anaesthetics (butyacaine-and procaine), to para-aminobenzoic acid, parabens or paraphenylenediamine, or to commercial hair dyes. (See patient information leaflet for the full list of ingredients.)
• if you are under 12 years of age
• on large areas of skin, skin rash, sunburn, or infected or broken skin
• if you have a slow or irregular heartbeat
• if you have a history of, or are suspected to have abnormal blood pigment.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (below 25°C}.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging and on the seal of the tube. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.
• These measures will help to protect the environment.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

Will Lanacane treat skin allergic reactions like eczema or hives?

Lanacane should not be used to treat the underlying allergic diseases like eczema or hives (urticaria). While it may temporarily soothe itching due to these conditions, it will not treat the cause of the reaction or reduce inflammation. You must discuss more appropriate treatments for a chronic skin condition, such as eczema, with your pharmacist or doctor. Corticosteroid creams and antihistamines may be more suitable in such cases. Taking Lanacane continuously can suppress symptoms rather than cure the condition. More than a week's usage of Lanacane is not recommended except on medical advice.

Can Lanacane be used in combination with other medications?

Lanacane can be applied with topical treatments, but do not use it with other anaesthetic creams or medicated creams except on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice. Combining treatments could increase the risk of side effects like skin irritation or allergy. If you're already on prescription skin treatments (like steroid creams, antifungals, or acne medication), double-check with a pharmacist to ensure they don't interact with each other. Use different products at different times of the day, allowing each product time to soak in before applying the next.

Why isn't Lanacane suitable for broken skin or large areas?

Lanacane has benzocaine in it, which causes the nerves on the skin to be numbed. It increases the risk of the active constituent being absorbed through the bloodstream by applying it to large areas or damaged skin. This raises the risk of side effects such as a severe but rare one called methaemoglobinaemia, when the blood cannot deliver oxygen properly. It is important to follow this advice if you have a heart condition, have trouble breathing, or are on some medications. Always apply only a thin covering on tiny, unbroken skin pieces to be safe.

What do I do if I accidentally apply Lanacane to broken skin?

If you've accidentally applied Lanacane to broken, sunburned, or infected skin, carefully wash it off with mild soap and cool water. Do not rub the skin. Look out for signs of irritation, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain. If you are sick or your symptoms worsen, speak to your pharmacist or doctor. Infected or broken skin may absorb the medication more quickly, resulting in unpleasant side effects. If unsure, always stop and seek the advice of your local healthcare professional first.

Is Lanacane usable in intimate areas for other reasons?

Lanacane may be used temporarily for external vaginal or anal itching but not to treat infections like thrush, bacterial vaginosis, or haemorrhoids. Applying it without addressing the causative factor may lead to a delay in proper diagnosis. If you experience other symptoms like strange discharge, burning, swelling, or pain, it's always a good idea to get checked out by a physician. Lanacane will remove the itch, but won't eliminate the infection, so don't use it longer than you have to to seek a true cure.

Symptoms of a Lanacane allergy?

Infrequent allergic reactions do happen, and they are severe. Symptoms can include a red rash, worsening itching, swelling (especially of the face or lips), breathlessness, or fainting. If any of these symptoms develop following the use of the cream, stop using the cream immediately and talk to a doctor. People with a known hypersensitivity to benzocaine, other local anaesthetics, or other ingredients in the cream should not use Lanacane. If you’re unsure about your allergy history, check with your pharmacist before using it for the first time.

Is Lanacane suitable for use on the face or near the eyes?


Lanacane should not be used on the face, especially around sensitive areas like the eyes or lips. The skin here is thinner and more likely to absorb medications quickly, which can cause irritation or a burning sensation. If the cream accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water for several minutes and seek medical advice if discomfort continues. For facial itching or irritation, there are gentler, more suitable treatments that your pharmacist can recommend.

Patient Information Leaflet