Written byDr. Adeline Carol PetersBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) — Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Last updated:
Overview
Emla 5% Cream is a prescription-only medicine (POM) that contains Lidocaine 2.5% and Prilocaine 2.5%. It is supplied as a cream and is dispensed in Malaysia only against a valid prescription issued by a registered doctor.
Under Malaysian rules for prescription medicines, this page carries product, safety and handling information only. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain whether this medicine is suitable for you, the dose you should take, and how long you should take it.
On DoctorOnCall, Emla 5% Cream is reviewed by a licensed doctor through an online consultation and dispensed by a registered pharmacist before delivery. Always follow the instructions on your prescription label and the package insert supplied with the product, and do not share this medicine with anyone else.
Directions for Use
Apply Emla 5% Cream as a thick layer to the intended area, cover with the occlusive dressing provided (or as instructed), and leave in place for the recommended time before your procedure. Wipe off the cream just before the procedure begins. Do not apply to broken skin, open wounds, or the eyes, and wash your hands after handling the cream unless it is your hands being treated.
Dosage
The amount and application time of Emla 5% Cream depends on the procedure and site being treated; your doctor or the product leaflet will specify the correct dose, typically a thick layer applied under an occlusive dressing for about 60 minutes on normal skin or a shorter time on genital mucosa, and never used over a larger area or for longer than advised.
Storage Instructions
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Side Effects
Mild burning or stinging at the application site
Redness or swelling of the skin
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Numbness in surrounding areas
Allergic reactions such as rash or itching (rare)
Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to lidocaine, prilocaine, or other amide-type local anaesthetics
Congenital or idiopathic methaemoglobinaemia
Use on broken skin, open wounds, or near the eyes
Infants under 12 months old should not receive concurrent methaemoglobinaemia-inducing agents
Drug / Food Interactions
Class III antiarrhythmic medicines (e.g. amiodarone) may add to cardiac effects if significant absorption occurs
Other medicines known to cause methaemoglobinaemia (e.g. sulfonamides, certain antimalarials) increase that risk when used together
Concurrent use of other local anaesthetics increases the total anaesthetic dose absorbed
Quick Tips
Apply a thick, even layer and use an occlusive dressing to help the cream absorb properly
Time the application so numbing is complete just before your procedure, as advised by your doctor
Avoid rubbing the treated area until the procedure is done
Do not use on larger areas or for longer than instructed, especially in children
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if prescribed by a doctor after careful evaluation.
Breastfeeding
Generally Safe
This medicine is generally safe during breastfeeding with minimal risk to the infant.
Kidney
Use With Care
Use cautiously. Dose adjustment or monitoring may be required.
Liver
Use With Care
Use cautiously. Liver function monitoring may be required.
Alcohol
Use With Care
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with this medicine.
Driving
Use With Care
Use caution while driving until you know how this medicine affects you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Emla 5% Cream is a prescription-only medicine (POM). It can only be supplied against a valid prescription written by a registered doctor, and it should be used only by the person named on the prescription label.
Emla 5% Cream is supplied as a cream and contains Lidocaine 2.5% and Prilocaine 2.5%. The full composition is listed in the Composition section on this page and on the product packaging.
Malaysian rules for prescription medicines limit public product pages to product, safety and handling information. Your doctor decides whether this medicine is appropriate for you and will explain it during your consultation, and your pharmacist can answer further questions when the medicine is dispensed.
Take it exactly as written on your prescription label. Do not increase, reduce or skip doses on your own, and do not continue beyond the period your doctor has prescribed. Practical handling steps are set out in the Directions for Use section on this page.
Take it as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is nearly due. In that case skip the missed dose and carry on with your usual schedule. Never take two doses together to make up for a missed one. If you miss doses often, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Keep it in the original pack until use, and do not use it after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any reaction that concerns you, and seek medical care immediately for signs of a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a widespread rash. Reported reactions are listed in the Side Effects section on this page.
No. Speak to your doctor before stopping, pausing or changing the dose, even if you feel well or think you no longer need the medicine.
Customers in Malaysia can complete an online consultation with a DoctorOnCall doctor, who decides whether a prescription is appropriate, or upload a valid prescription already issued by their own doctor.
Orders going to Singapore are dispatched from Malaysia as an international delivery, so you need to hold a valid prescription or doctor’s letter for the medicine. Check the consultation and prescription upload options shown at checkout for your delivery address before placing the order.
Within Malaysia, standard delivery takes 3 to 5 working days. Same-day delivery is available in the Klang Valley for orders placed before 12pm; orders placed after 12pm arrive by the end of the next day.
Orders to Singapore are sent as international deliveries and take 5 to 9 working days. A lump-sum shipping and handling fee applies to every overseas delivery and is shown at checkout.
Customers in Malaysia can pay by FPX online banking, credit or debit card (Visa and Mastercard), and supported e-wallets including Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GrabPay and ShopeePay.
FPX and local e-wallets are tied to Malaysian bank and wallet accounts, so if your delivery address is in Singapore, use the payment options displayed at checkout for that address rather than assuming the same list applies.
Yes. DoctorOnCall ships to Singapore as an international order dispatched from Malaysia, arriving in 5 to 9 working days with a lump-sum shipping and handling fee.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) allows personal imports of up to three months’ supply of a medicine for your own use or an immediate family member’s, as long as it contains no controlled drugs, psychotropic substances or prohibited items. Keep the product in its original labelled packaging and keep a copy of your prescription or doctor’s letter with it. Quantities above three months’ supply, and medicines containing controlled substances, require prior HSA approval.
Products listed on DoctorOnCall are registered with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health for supply in Malaysia, and each pack carries its MAL registration number.
An order delivered to Singapore arrives as a personal import of a Malaysia-registered product; HSA product registration is not required for personal-use quantities, but it is also not the same as a product registered for sale in Singapore. If you need a locally registered Singapore product, buy it from a pharmacy in Singapore.
DoctorOnCall’s customer care team handles order, delivery and product queries through the contact channels on the site, including WhatsApp and the online help centre.
For deliveries to Singapore, allow more time before chasing an order than you would for a local Malaysian delivery, as the parcel passes through customs clearance and tracking updates can appear later in the journey.
What condition or symptom are you treating with this medication?
Please select your condition / symptom before adding to cart.
*Please select the closest match. A pharmacist may call to verify your selection before dispensing.
Important Medical Information
💊 Recommended Dosage:
The amount and application time of Emla 5% Cream depends on the procedure and site being treated; your doctor or the product leaflet will specify the correct dose, typically a thick layer applied under an occlusive dressing for about 60 minutes on normal skin or a shorter time on genital mucosa, and never used over a larger area or for longer than advised.
🛑 Contraindications (Do not use if):
Known hypersensitivity to lidocaine, prilocaine, or other amide-type local anaesthetics
Congenital or idiopathic methaemoglobinaemia
Use on broken skin, open wounds, or near the eyes
Infants under 12 months old should not receive concurrent methaemoglobinaemia-inducing agents
If you are unsure, please chat with us or consult your doctor.
⚠️ Common Side Effects:
Mild burning or stinging at the application site
Redness or swelling of the skin
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Numbness in surrounding areas
Allergic reactions such as rash or itching (rare)
Stop taking this medication immediately and consult your doctor if you experience severe allergic reactions or side effects.
Please tick this box to confirm you are 18+ before adding to cart.
IMPORTANT: Unsure? Chat with our pharmacists (Mon - Sat, 9:00am - 6:00pm) before buying.