Outgro (Topical application)

Benzocaine is used to help relieve pain and itching from conditions like sunburn or other minor burns, insect bites or stings, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, minor cuts, or scratches.

Benzocaine is part of a group of medicines called topical local anesthetics. It works by numbing the nerve endings in the skin. This medicine does not cause unconsciousness like general anesthetics do when used for surgery.

You can get this medicine without a prescription; however, your doctor may provide specific instructions on how to use it and the right dose for your medical condition.

If your or your child's condition does not improve within 7 days, or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.

After putting this medicine on your child's skin, watch them closely to ensure they do not get any of the medicine in their eyes or mouth. It can lead to serious side effects, especially in children, if any of the medicine gets into the mouth or is swallowed.

Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experience a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation of the skin.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated skin areas.

This medicine may cause a rare but serious blood issue called methemoglobinemia. This can happen after using the spray for medical procedures or the over-the-counter gel or liquid for mouth sores or teething in children. The risk may be higher in infants younger than 4 months, elderly patients, or those with certain genetic conditions. It has occurred with excessive use of the medicine but can also happen with small amounts. Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after using this medicine: pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; fast heartbeat; shortness of breath; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking medicines that contain nitrates or nitrites. This includes nitroglycerin, Imdur®, Isordil®, Nitro-Bid®, Nitrostat®, or Transderm-Nitro®.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks and benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Do not use benzocaine in children under 2 years of age due to its toxicity.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how benzocaine affects older adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When taking this medicine, it’s especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions are notable but not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Hyaluronidase
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken with food or certain types of food because interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you use this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Glucose-6-phosphodiesterase deficiency (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells) or
• Hemoglobin-M disease (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells) or
• NADH-methemoglobin reductase deficiency (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells) or
• Pyruvate-kinase deficiency (a hereditary metabolic disorder affecting red blood cells)—Use with caution. There may be an increased risk of a serious side effect called methemoglobinemia.

• Asthma or
• Bronchitis or
• Emphysema or
• Heart disease or
• Infection at the application site or
• Large sore, broken skin, or injury at the application site or
• Smokers—Use with caution. Side effects may worsen.

• Children under the age of 2 years—Should not be used in this age group.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds

Incidence not known

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• Cracking, itching, redness, or stinging of the skin
• Dark urine
• Difficulty with breathing
• Difficulty with walking
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fever
• Headache
• Inability to feel hands and feet
• Irritability
• Irritation of the nose
• Itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Pale skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Red, sore eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling sluggish
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Anacaine
• Chiggerex
• Mandelay
• Medicone
• Outgro
• Solarcaine

In Canada

• Baby Orajel Nighttime Formula
• Dermoplast Maximum Strength
• Topicaine

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Spray
• Liquid
• Cream
• Ointment

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Ester

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use it for any other reason without first checking with your doctor. This medicine may be more likely than other topical anesthetics to cause unwanted effects if it is used too much, because more of it is absorbed into the body through the skin.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, do not apply this medicine to open wounds, burns, or broken or inflamed skin.

This medicine should be used only for problems being treated by your doctor or conditions listed in the package directions. Check with your doctor before using it for other problems, especially if you think that an infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or serious problems, such as severe burns.

Be careful not to get any of this medicine in your nose, mouth, and especially in your eyes, because it can cause severe eye irritation. If any of the medicine does get into these areas especially the eyes, wash it with water for at least 15 minutes and check with your doctor right away.

If you are using a spray form of this medicine, do not spray it directly on your face. Instead, use your hand or an applicator (e.g., a sterile gauze pad or a cotton swab) to apply the medicine.

To use the pad or swab, open the package according to the directions. When treating a bee sting, remove the stinger before using the medicine. Wipe the pad or swab across the affected skin area.

Read the package label very carefully to see if the product contains any alcohol. Alcohol is flammable and can catch on fire. Do not use any product containing alcohol near a fire or open flame, or while smoking. Also, do not smoke after applying one of these products until it has completely dried.

If you are using the gel or liquid form:

• Use the benzocaine gel or liquid only when needed, but not for more than four times a day.
• In children, instead of using this medicine, talk with your pediatrician about different ways to treat teething. Give your child a chilled teething ring, or gently rub or massage your child's gums with your finger to relieve symptoms of teething pain. Do not use this medicine in children under the age of 2 unless your doctor tells you to.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For topical dosage forms (aerosol spray, pads, or swabs): For pain and itching caused by minor skin conditions: Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older—Apply to the affected area three or four times a day as needed. Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.