Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Xylocaine. It does not contain all the information that is known about Xylocaine.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor, pharmacist or dentist.

All medicines have risks and benefits.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or dentist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Xylocaine is for

Xylocaine Ointment is used: 
to relieve pain following minor burns and skin irritation including sunburn, insect bites, nettle rash and sore nipples; 
to prevent pain and discomfort, and to act as a lubricant during medical procedures and tests; 
to relieve pain of someconditions of the back passage such as haemorrhoids (piles) or fissures; 
in dentistry to prevent pain during scaling or injection and when fitting dentures.

Xylocaine belongs to a group of medicines called local anaesthetics.

It works by making the pain nerves unable to pass messages to the brain.

Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist will have explained what Xylocaine Ointment is used for and told you what dose you should use.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor, pharmacist or dentist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

A health professional may recommend this medicine for another use. Ask them if you want more information.

Xylocaine Ointment is not addictive.

Before you use Xylocaine

When you must not use it

Do not use Xylocaine Ointment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor or dentist says it is safe to do so. Ask them about the risks and benefits involved. Xylocaine has been widely used during pregnancy and there have been no reports of any ill effects on the baby.

When used correctly, it is unlikely that any Xylocaine Ointment will get into your breast milk if you are breastfeeding.

Do not use after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.

Do not use Xylocaine Ointment if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

Before you start to use it

You must tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if: 
1. you have any allergies to 
other local anaesthetics 
any ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet 
any other substances

If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hayfever, difficulty breathing or feel faint.
2. you have any of these medical conditions
epilepsy 
heart, liver or kidney problems 
open wounds or infection where the ointment will be used

It may not be safe for you to use Xylocaine Ointment if you have any of these conditions.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including
ones to control your heart beat 
ones for blood pressure (anti-hypertensives) 
ones for epilepsy or fits 
cimetidine 
any medicines that you buy at the chemist, supermarket or health food shop.

These medicines may affect the way Xylocaine Ointment works.

Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.

If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you use any Xylocaine Ointment.

Using Xylocaine

How to use it

Your doctor, pharmacist or dentist will tell you how much ointment you should use. The dose depends on the size of the area and the procedure involved.

The maximum single dose is 5g (250mg lignocaine). This is roughly equivalent to squeezing a 15cm (6in) length of ointment from the tube.

Do not use more than 17-20g of the ointment in any 24 hours.

Apply a thin layer of ointment over the area.

A sterile gauze pad is recommended for application to burnt or abraded skin.

For tender or sore nipples, apply a small amount of the ointment on a piece of gauze.

Wash all the ointment away before breastfeeding.

For children less than 12 years, do not use more than 0.1g ointment/kg bodyweight as a single dose. Do not apply more than three doses during any 24 hours.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if you are unsure about the amount of Xylocaine Ointment to use.

Overdose

Telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to casualty at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much Xylocaine Ointment and you are worried about it.

If you accidentally swallow Xylocaine Ointment it is unlikely to cause any problems due to the small amount of lignocaine it contains.

However, you may have a numb tongue and throat. This will wear off without treatment.

Do not eat or drink anything until your tongue feels normal again.

While you are using it

Things you must not do 

Do not eat or drink anything for at least 1 hour after using Xylocaine Ointment in the mouth or throat area. You may swallow your food down the wrong way, or burn or bite your mouth.

Do not use Xylocaine Ointment on open wounds or infected areas.

Do not get Xylocaine Ointment in your eyes. If any of the ointment does go in your eye, rinse immediately with lots of water for at least 15 minutes and call your doctor.

Please talk to your doctor, pharmacist or dentist about these possibilities if you think they may bother you.

Side effects

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Xylocaine Ointment. Xylocaine Ointment will help to relieve pain and discomfort in most people, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist or dentist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or dentist if you notice the following and it worries you: 
skin rash or irritation

This is a mild side effect of Xylocaine Ointment.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following: 
wheezing or difficulty breathing 
chest pain 
severe rash or itching 
increased sweating

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Some people may get other side effects while using Xylocaine Ointment.

Storage

Keep your Xylocaine Ointment in a cool place where the temperature stays below 25 °C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Do not leave it in the car on hot days.

Disposal

Ask your pharmacist what to do with any ointment you have left over if your doctor tells you to stop using it, or you find that the expiry date has passed.

Product description

Xylocaine Ointment is a white opaque substance. Each gram of ointment contains 50 mg lignocaine base,
plus
Propylene Glycol (E 1520)
Polyethylene Glycols (300, 1500, and 4000) (E 477)
Lignocaine is known as lidocaine in the U.S.A.

Manufacturer
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54 009 682 311
Alma Road
NORTH RYDE NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in May 2005.
Australian Registration Number
Xylocaine Ointment 12005
®Trade Marks herein are the property of the AstraZeneca group