Local anaesthetic + antiseptic Pregnancy: There are no known adverse effects in normal use of this product in pregnancy and lactation. Exposure to systemically absorbed lidocaine from the product is low; no special precautions are considered necessary.

Lidocaine with cetrimide

Lidocaine with cetrimide is a combined topical local anaesthetic and antiseptic preparation used to provide surface anaesthesia together with skin disinfection, for example before minor procedures.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Apply a small amount to the affected area with a fingertip

Route: Cutaneous (topical) use

Frequency: Repeat if required up to 3-4 times daily

Adults and children over 12 years. Children under 12 years: not recommended (insufficient data available). For external use only; contact with the eyes should be avoided; not suitable for animal bites. Contains 10% w/w propylene glycol (E1520) per application, which may cause skin irritation. Source product: Savlon Antiseptic and Pain Relief Gel (UK SPC).

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the product

Side effects

Rarely, skin irritation
Rarely, sensitisation

Interactions

No known interactions with other drugs (SPC section 4.5)

Clinical monograph

How it works

Lidocaine blocks sodium channels in superficial sensory nerve endings to produce local numbness, while cetrimide is a cationic surfactant antiseptic that disrupts microbial cell membranes.

Prescribing in practice

Apply only to the intended surface and avoid application to broken skin, mucous membranes or large or inflamed areas, as this increases lidocaine absorption and the risk of systemic toxicity.
Cetrimide can cause skin irritation and sensitisation, and is intended for external use only.
Keep away from the eyes and do not use on extensively damaged tissue.

Monitoring

Monitor the treated skin for irritation or hypersensitivity and, with extensive use, for any features of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity.

Counselling the patient

This preparation numbs and cleans the skin surface before a procedure.
It is for use on the skin only; avoid contact with the eyes.
Report any rash, marked stinging or swelling at the site.

Evidence & guidelines

Topical local anaesthetic-antiseptic combinations are used per their SPC for surface anaesthesia and skin disinfection.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways