FDA MedWatch

Topical Anesthetics: Public Health Advisory issued regarding serious hazards of using skin numbing products

Audience: Consumers, radiological healthcare professionals, emergency room healthcare professionals, risk managers

-FDA MedWatch

01/19/2009- FDA issued a public health advisory to remind patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers about potentially serious hazards of using skin numbing products, also known as topical anesthetics, for relieving pain from mammography and other medical tests and conditions. FDA is concerned about the potential for these products to cause serious, life-threatening adverse effects, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, breathing difficulties, coma and even death, when applied to a large area of skin or when the area of application is covered. FDA is working with healthcare professional organizations and other media that distribute healthcare information to spread the message about the potential hazards and safe use of topical anesthetics. The Advisory and the Dear Colleague letter provide recommendations to both doctors and patients on safe use of these products.

Read the MedWatch 2009 safety summary, including links to the Public Health Advisory and "Dear Colleague" letter, at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2009/safety09.htm#Anesthetics