EMLA cream

The text on this page is taken from an informal compilation of opinions of contributors to the online VOLE List. As such, they are not peer reviewed and may contain differences of opinion. Those wishing to contact the list may contact Adrian Smith.

Has anyone used EMLA as analgesic on an ongoing basis?

I have a group who would like to use it for mice with tendency to develop warts in sensitive areas. Ulcerations, excess size etc are clear endpoints, but we would like to further refine management for animals with lesions not yet at that stage.

I am not sure how often EMLA can be safely & effectively re-applied without risking arrhythmias etc. All I've used it for is (and all references I can find describe are) refining conduct of single procedures, blood samples etc.

I can’t answer your question I’m afraid but local anaesthetics are quite cytotoxic - think of cocaine.

I have never used it because it takes a certain amount of time after application for it to act. If I remember correctly, it is 20-30 minutes.

In this case, for blood samples, it is not effective if it is applied shortly before the sample is collected.

Duration of action is quite short as well (not much more than an hour from memory).  Could the use of NSAIDs such as meloxicam be considered?

I would not use it with rodents. It takes min 20 min to reach some effect. Mice and rats would certainly lick the cream off, ending up with numb mouths.

David et al. (2014) concluded that topical EMLA cream did not reduce signs of aversive reaction to tail vein injection and thus they did not find support for its use in mouse training programs for tail vein injections. This paper is behind a paywall and the length of application time should be checked.