Solarcaine (Topical application)

Benzocaine helps relieve pain and itching from issues 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 numbs the nerve endings in the skin. Unlike general anesthetics used in surgery, this medicine does not cause unconsciousness.

You can get this medicine without a prescription; however, your doctor may have specific instructions on how to use it and the 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 applying this medicine to your child's skin, closely watch to ensure that he or she does not get any of the medicine into their eyes or mouth. It can cause serious side effects, especially in children, if any of the medicine enters the mouth or is swallowed.

Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you or your child develop 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 problem called methemoglobinemia. This condition may 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 old, elderly patients, or patients with certain inborn defects. It can occur with too much of the medicine, but may also happen with small amounts. Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Contact your doctor right away if you or your child experience 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 is aware 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, the risks and benefits must be carefully considered. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies, including those to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients closely.

Pediatric

Due to the potential toxicity of benzocaine, it is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how age affects the effects of benzocaine in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before using this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others can be used together even if there may be an interaction. In those cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily complete.

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

• Hyaluronidase
• St John's Wort

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines can also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any additional 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. This may increase the 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. This may worsen side effects.

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

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may also 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 happen:

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 can 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.