Everything you need to know about emla (lidocaine-prilocaine) topical anesthetic cream and patches. Learn about dosage, application, pricing, safety, and how to buy emla online in Canada without a prescription from a licensed pharmacy.
emla cream is a topical numbing cream/patch containing lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%. It is available without a prescription in Canada and can be purchased by asking a pharmacist online at emla.onescript.ca starting at $14.99 CAD for patches and $22.95 CAD for cream. All orders are fulfilled by licensed Canadian pharmacies with fast shipping to Canada and the USA.
emla cream is a topical anesthetic containing lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%. It numbs the skin to reduce pain from needle procedures, vaccinations, blood draws, IV catheter insertions, minor skin surgeries, and laser treatments. emla stands for "Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics." It is manufactured by Aspen Pharmacare and is one of the most widely used topical numbing products worldwide.
emla cream and emla patches contain the same active ingredients (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) but differ in application. emla cream is applied manually and covered with an airtight dressing such as tegaderm or plastic wrap— it offers flexibility in coverage area and dose. emla patches are pre-dosed, self-adhesive patches that you peel and apply directly to the skin. Patches are more convenient and mess-free, making them ideal for single-site procedures like vaccinations and blood draws. Cream is better for larger areas or when customized coverage is needed.
emla cream is used for pain relief during: needle insertions and blood draws, vaccinations (including MMR, DPTP, Hepatitis B), IV catheter placements, minor surgical procedures on intact skin (mole removal, skin grafting), laser treatments on the skin, genital mucosa procedures, and leg ulcer cleaning. It is also used before circumcision in infants and children. Always apply to intact, unbroken skin unless directed otherwise by a healthcare provider.
No. emla cream and patches are available without a prescription in Canada. They are classified as Schedule II medications, meaning the pharmacist may need to ask you questions and provide advice when you purchase it. You can purchase emla online from OneScript at emla.onescript.ca without needing a doctor's prescription. All orders are reviewed by a pharmacist through a brief health assessment and fulfilled by licensed Canadian pharmacies.
You can buy emla cream and patches online at emla.onescript.ca, operated by OneScript from Canadian Licensed Pharmacies. The process is simple: complete a quick health assessment, select your products, and check out. Orders once approved are fulfilled by licensed Canadian pharmacies in Ontario and shipped directly to your door across Canada and to the USA.
emla cream prices at OneScript: One 5g tube with two Tegaderm dressings — $22.95 CAD. Five 5g tubes (10 doses) with ten dressings — $67.99 CAD. One 30g tube (without dressings) — $68.99 CAD. emla patches: Box of 2 patches — $14.99 CAD. Box of 20 patches — $92.99 CAD. All prices include the product cost. Shipping is calculated separately at checkout.
Yes. OneScript ships emla cream and patches to both Canada and the United States. All orders are fulfilled by licensed Canadian pharmacies. Under the FDA's Personal Importation Policy guidelines, US residents are generally permitted to import up to a 90-day supply of medications for personal use. Shipping times and costs vary depending on your location. Canadian orders typically arrive within 3–5 business days. US orders may take 5–10 business days.
OneScript is a licensed digital healthcare platform — not a pharmacy. OneScript provides online health assessment tools that are reviewed by licensed healthcare providers. All medications, including emla products, are sold by licensed partner pharmacies in Ontario, Canada. OneScript complies with Canadian healthcare and privacy regulations.
Make sure your skin is clean and dry. Apply a thick layer of cream at the site of the procedure. Do not rub the cream into the skin. For minor procedures, apply approximately 2 g (half of a 5 g tube). This covers an area slightly larger than a two dollar coin. Cover the treated area with an air-tight dressing such as Tegaderm or plastic wrap. Remove the dressing and thoroughly clean the area of any excess cream prior to the procedure.
emla cream takes approximately 60 minutes to achieve full numbing when applied to intact skin under an airtight dressing. The numbing effect lasts for 1–2 hours after the cream is removed. For procedures on genital mucosa, apply approximately 2 g per lesion for 5-10 minutes. Occlusion is not necessary. Always follow the application guidelines for your specific use case. For Leg Ulcers, apply a thick layer for a minimum of 30 minutes, and up to 60 minutes for necrotic tissue. The tube is intended for single use only, and any remaining cream must be discarded after each treatment.
Apply emla cream to the inner elbow or expected puncture site at least 60 minutes before a blood draw. Cover it with the included Tegaderm dressing. Remove the dressing and wipe off the cream just before the phlebotomist draws blood. The skin should remain numb for 1–2 hours after removal.
Using emla patches is straightforward: (1) Remove the patch from its foil packaging. (2) Peel off the protective liner from the adhesive side. (3) Place the patch directly on the skin where the procedure will take place. (4) Press firmly around the edges to ensure a good seal. (5) Leave in place for at least 60 minutes. (6) Remove the patch just before the procedure and wipe any remaining cream.
emla cream is safe when used as directed. Common side effects are mild and localized: temporary skin whitening or redness at the application site, mild swelling, and an initial burning or itching sensation. These typically resolve within 1–2 hours. emla should NOT be used on broken, irritated, or infected skin; in the eyes or ears; by people allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, or "-caine" anesthetics; or by people with methemoglobinemia or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Serious and life-threatening adverse events have occurred when emla cream was applied to large areas of skin for cosmetic procedures like laser depilation. Always consult with your healthcare provider before using emla on large areas.
Yes, emla cream can be used on children for needle pain relief and vaccinations. Maximum dosage and application times must be strictly followed based on age and weight: * Neonates (0 up to 3 months): Maximum dose is 1 g applied to an area up to 10 cm2 for a maximum of 1 hour. Always consult a healthcare provider for premature infants or infants under 3 months. No more than a single application site should be treated at any one time. * Infants (3 up to 12 months): Maximum dose is 2 g applied to an area up to 20 cm2 for a maximum of 4 hours. * Children (1 to 6 years): Maximum dose is 10 g applied to an area up to 100 cm2 for a maximum of 4 hours. * Children (7 to 12 years): Maximum dose is 20 g applied to an area up to 200 cm2 for a maximum of 5 hours. Note: emla should not be used on preterm infants born before 37 weeks gestational age, or in infants 12 months of age or younger who require treatment with methemoglobin-inducing agents like sulfonamides. EMLA must never be used on the genitals of children. If a child over 3 months does not meet the minimum weight requirement, the maximum dose must be restricted to the amount corresponding to their weight (e.g., following the 0-3 months dosage).
The most common side effects of emla cream are mild and occur at the application site: temporary skin paleness (whitening), redness, mild swelling, initial burning or itching. These are normal and typically resolve within 1–2 hours of removal. Serious side effects are rare but can include allergic reactions or, in extremely rare cases, methemoglobinemia (a blood condition where the blood cannot carry enough oxygen). Seek medical attention if you notice blue-gray skin color, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue after use.
emla cream should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Lidocaine and prilocaine can cross the placenta and are excreted in breast milk in small amounts. Consult your healthcare provider before using emla if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Order emla cream or patches online from OneScript. No prescription needed in Canada. Fulfilled by licensed Canadian pharmacies. Fast shipping.
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