Question

Which of the following is true regarding the image provided? 

• A. EMLA contains ropivacaine and ligocaine.
• B. EMLA can lead to hemoglobinemia.
• C. EMLA contains 5 percent lignocaine.
• D. EMLA acts within 15 minutes.

Hint:

Always check the ingredients and possible side effects of any topical anesthetic. For EMLA, be aware of the risk of methemoglobinemia, especially with prolonged use.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics) is a topical anesthetic cream containing a combination of lidocaine (or lignocaine) and prilocaine. It is commonly used to numb the skin before procedures such as venipuncture or minor dermatological treatments. The correct option, (2), points out that EMLA can lead to methemoglobinemia, a condition where the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood is reduced. This condition is primarily caused by the presence of prilocaine, which can convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin in some individuals, especially at higher doses or prolonged application. - Ropivacaine is not a part of the EMLA cream formula, so option (1) is incorrect. - 5 percent lignocaine is not a correct concentration in the EMLA cream; the standard concentration of lignocaine is 2.5\% in combination with 2.5 percent prilocaine, so option (3) is incorrect. - EMLA generally takes about 30 minutes to show effective numbing and not just 15 minutes, hence option (4) is also incorrect.