General Information: Tetracaine hydrochloride gel is indicated for skin surface numbing. Also, topical tetracaine hydrochloride will reduce the number of days required for healing for rectal fissure and facial lesions in herpes labialis.
Warnings/Precautions: This product is for external use only. Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are sensitive to sulfites. Tell your doctor if you have asthma or heart rhythm problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had a bad reaction to local anesthetics (numbing medicines) in the past, or if you have any other medical conditions. This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. If this medicine is used in your mouth or throat, do not try to eat or drink anything until feeling has returned to normal.
Side Effects: Mild side effects included anxiety, dizziness, or drowsiness, mild nausea or vomiting, mild skin rash or itching and ringing in your ears. More serious side effects are difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, seizures, tremors, shortness of breath, chest pain, cold sweat or bluish-colored skin and slow or irregular heartbeat. It is very important to check with your doctor first about using this medicine before having medical tests to examine your breasts or other medical procedures. Using this medicine before having a medical test for your breasts or before having certain other medical procedures may increase your risk of serious side effects. If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Monitoring Parameters: patient safety and side effects should be monitored before, during, and following use. Be aware that the anesthetic effects may last for some time after procedure.
Possible Drug Interactions: There are no known significant interactions. However, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat an infection (antibiotics) such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Overdose: Tetracaine gel can be absorbed by the body so it is advised that you do not apply this medicine to a large area of skin, or to broken or irritated skin and do not cover the treated area with a bandage unless your doctor has told you to. In the event of being overdosed on this product, you will experience side effects listed above so contact your pharmacist or physician as soon as possible.
Missed Doses: You should use your topical gel externally as directed by your physician and if you missed a dose, use the product as soon as you remembered. Contact your pharmacy or your doctor’s office if you have any questions regarding the missed dose and if you are unsure of what to do.