NEWS - FDA MedWatch issues alert on safety of topical anesthetics

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FDA MedWatch Issues Alert on Safety of Topical Anesthetics

January 16, 2009 — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today

released a public-health advisory underlining potential

life-threatening adverse events from the improper use of topical

anesthetics.

Improper use includes applying too much, over too large an area,

application to broken or irritated skin, or covering the anesthetic

with a wrap or heating pad, according to the advisory.

" Improper use can lead to excessive absorption of the drug into the

bloodstream and may cause life-threatening side effects such as

irregular heartbeat, seizures, breathing difficulties, coma, and even

death, " an accompanying Dear Colleague letter from the Department of

Health and Human Services, FDA, undersigned by Theresa Toigo, director

of the Office of Special Health Issues, states.

In particular, the letter focuses on a study recently published in

Radiology looking at the use by women undergoing mammography of

topical anesthetics such as lidocaine over large areas of skin and

covered with plastic wrap (Lambertz CK et al. Radiology

2008;248:765-772).

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Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586987

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