Skip to main content

Emla for Anesthesia User Reviews

Emla has an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 from a total of 17 reviews for the treatment of Anesthesia. 65% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 18% reported a negative experience.

Emla rating summary

7.4 average rating out of 10

17 ratings from 19 user reviews.

Compare all 254 medications used in the treatment of Anesthesia.

10
41%
9
18%
8
6%
7
6%
6
0%
5
6%
4
6%
3
0%
2
6%
1
12%

Reviews for Emla

  • Sco...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 27, 2019

"I use it when I have sex. It's amazing. I can last for ages now and long enough for my partner to orgasm every time. It's changed our sex life. I apply it to the tip of my penis about 30 mins before sex. Rub it in well to the entire head of the penis. Downside, obviously, is I don't get the same sensation, but after about 30 minutes of lovemaking, the cream has worn off and I'm ready to ejaculate."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
56 Report
  • Pin...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 7, 2020

"Needed an IV insertion for a contrast MRI, and insisted that EMLA be used. Applied 1.5 hrs. before the procedure, and I barely was aware of the needle at all. It makes a huge difference since I am phobic about needles. My rule now is without EMLA, you can't touch me. You insert the IV when and where I tell you, or I am leaving!"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
30 Report
  • Mad...
  • May 17, 2018

"Today I got my first tattoo. I was reading these comments this morning because I bought Emla numbing cream, and I’m so scared of needles I was skeptical of it even working! I must say that when I got to my appointment, she wiped my arm down, and it freaked me out, my arm was so incredibly numb it felt like rubber. She started and told me she had done the first line, and I literally felt nothing. I could hear buzzing, and that was all. About 40 mins in, and it was starting to wear off, but it was good because I felt like the cream eased me into it, and then when I could actually feel it, it was almost done and wasn’t too bad :)"

Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • Sar...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 13, 2016

"I have a phobia of needles, and this is the way to get through blood tests. I had to keep getting blood tests due to having low levels of iron in my blood, and if this numbing cream wasn't available, I don't know how I'd have coped. Come to think of it, using anything sharp on me is a nightmare. I didn't trust this cream to work more at first because quite a few medications haven't worked for me, but this was a godsend."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
52 Report
  • Sam...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2021

"I was so, so nervous to get a blood test for work, but I knew it needed to be done. I used EMLA in a thick layer on both inner elbow creases, that way, the nurse could determine which side had the better vein for her to use. I seriously didn’t feel a single thing!! You could feel the cold alcohol swab, but no needle pinch whatsoever. So amazing, this stuff is the best for people with needle phobia—highly recommend!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Tro...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2021

"Love this. I'm using it for a 5-hour tattoo, and I’m halfway through the session. It is completely numb for the first hour, and then it wears down a bit, but it is still bearable. I can sit here, just relaxed while my arm gets needled."

Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 23, 2012

"Without Emla cream, I don't know how I would have made it through my cancer treatments. Thank you so much. I am now finding it impossible to find Emla. My pharmacy has told me it has stopped being manufactured. Is this true? Please say NO."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • Ree...
  • October 28, 2013

"I use Emla with a dermaroller. I apply a thin layer and put cling film over it for 60 minutes before starting treatment. It completely numbs the area, and I can't feel the 1.5 mm needles at all. I can now get through a session in 5 minutes instead of 30, where I had to keep stopping because of pain. I bought this for just over $20 for a 5 g tube at Chemist Warehouse. It's expensive, but I only need one every 6 weeks, and 5 g covers my whole buttock and thigh area. I love this stuff!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Fra...
  • December 13, 2015

"I only use Emla to have sex. I use it one hour before I have sex with my wife, and I enjoy longer, intensive sex. I am German, and I bought it in Germany for €27.90 in a 25 mg tube, much, much cheaper than here."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • sam...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 11, 2022

"I love this product! I'm a massive needle phobic, I would literally not get anything checked and live in pain until I almost died of pneumonia. They tried freeze sprays, no good-my veins would collapse with the stress. I have to have regular bloods done since, and there is no way I could do it without Emla."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 22, 2019

"Does not work at all! I found it actually made it harder for the phlebotomist to find my small, deep, rolling veins as well. I've tried using the medication for almost 2 years, as I need blood draws very often, and I never felt much relief. When using the cream, it seemed to burn more than without it. If it works for some people, that’s great, but I find it’s better to just do without it. When I get a very skilled phlebotomist, I have no pain or issues."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • wow...
  • August 16, 2015

"Emla will do the job for only half an hour! It takes like 2 hours when you apply, and you can't count on it more than 30-40 minutes. If you want to use Emla for a tattoo, anything bigger than the palm of your hand won't do the job! A little cute butterfly? Buy this product, you'll love it! A big rib piece? You better hold the pain and cry and faint than count on this cream! And I do not know if you can reapply some during the tattoo session. Just be aware that if the pain comes back and your tattoo is not over, your brain will freak out at least 6-7 times more, and so will the pain! This product can be a b*tch if you want to use it on a $200 tattoo."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • Evi...
  • October 27, 2022

"I used this cream a few years ago and was amazed how good it was, worked within 30 mins and was super numb like u get with a needle anesthetic. I just tried it again and couldn't believe how poor it's effect was. I used it on my hand to have a skin cancer removed, no numbing happened at all! The formula has been changed since I last used it and u never had to put a dressing over it to work, what rubbish it is."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
3 Report
  • Evi...
  • October 27, 2022

"I used this cream a few years ago and was amazed how good it was, worked within 30 mins and was super numb like u get with a needle anesthetic. I just tried it again and couldn't believe how poor it's effect was. I used it on my hand to have a skin cancer removed, no numbing happened at all! The formula has been changed since I last used it and u never had to put a dressing over it to work, what rubbish it is."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Tal...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 6, 2020

"Tried it for the first time today for sex, to stop premature ejaculation. Unbelievable, I lasted more than an hour. What a transformation in my sex life."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • Tat...
  • October 19, 2020

"I used Emla for a large tattoo. It worked well for about 2 hours and then wore off. It would be great for small tattoos or shorter tattoo sessions. Quite expensive in Canada!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Dav...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 30, 2019

"Was advised Emla would help when having huge tattoo on shoulder/arm, well it was still incredibly sore"

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Som...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2023

"It really does work. You won't be able to feel it kick in, but it will do the job well."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Hug...
  • January 30, 2020

"It does not make a difference at all when I had 4 injections but for other smaller procedures it would work."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Anesthesia

Medicine.com guides (external)