Emla 5% Cream

What is Emla & what is it used for?

Emla Cream is available to buy from The Independent Pharmacy, following a free consultation, to help to treat premature ejaculation (PE) in men. To find out more about PE and see all the available treatments, see our Advice for Premature Ejaculation page.

Emla Cream is a local anaesthetic that is applied topically. Local anaesthetics help to numb an area, reducing its ability to feel the sensation. It contains two active ingredients; Lidocaine and Prilocaine. Each gram of Emla cream contains 25mg of Lidocaine and 25mg of Prilocaine. Emla Cream is manufactured by AstraZeneca. Emla Cream has a variety of anaesthetic uses, including being prescribed to help men who suffer from premature ejaculation.

How does Emla work?

Lidocaine and Prilocaine work by temporarily interrupting the pathway of signals along the nerves. By restricting certain chemicals from entering the nerve endings at the site of application, Emla Cream can prevent certain signals from being passed along the nerve fibres. This means the brain doesn’t receive these signals and therefore cannot interpret them as sensations. This means that Emla cream reduces feeling in the penis and therefore helps to delay ejaculation due to reduced sensitivity.

What does 'off label' mean?

EMLA Cream is normally prescribed to temporarily numb small areas of the skin before minor surgical procedures, however, it can also be prescribed 'off-label' to treat premature ejaculation by applying directly to the tip of the penis.

'Off label' means that the medicine is being used to treat a condition other than those that it was initially licensed to treat. For example, EMLA Cream is licensed to temporarily numb small areas of the skin before minor surgical procedures. This means that there is less established data regarding the effectiveness of this treatment for the condition in which it is prescribed and means that the instructions contained in the product information leaflet may not match the condition you are treating. You should always follow the instructions on the dispensing label on your medicine and contact us if you have any questions.

Emla Cream and latex condoms

It is important to note that Emla Cream is oil-based, which means it can weaken latex condoms leading to a heightened risk of them splitting. Wiping any excess cream from your penis, prior to putting the condom on, should minimise this risk. However, if you are still concerned and want to be extra safe, it is advised to either use two condoms or seek an alternative form of contraception.

Alternatives to Emla Cream

At The Independent Pharmacy, all our premature ejaculation treatments are prescription-only and can be purchased online after you have completed a health consultation.

• A direct alternative to Emla Cream, which contains lidocaine to desensitise the penis, is called Stud 100 Desensitising Spray. It needs to be applied 15 - 30 minutes before sexual activity and all cream must be removed from the penis before intercourse as any residue can cause desensitisation for your partner.

Non-Medicinal Alternatives for Premature Ejaculation

• Behavioural Techniques - This is usually taught by sexual therapists
• Psychological Techniques - Counselling can often help men to gain control
• Reduce Penis Sensitivity - Use a thicker or numbing condom, such as Durex Extended Pleasure or Pasante Delay condoms or masturbating a few hours before sex

Sources

• Emla Cream, Patient Information Leaflet:

  https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...