Understanding Benzocaine

Side Effects

This medication has several side effects. Patients need to be aware of all of them! The most common ones include burning, stinging, and itching around the application site. Dry skin, flaky skin patches, redness, and tenderness also occur in this area for some patients! These side effects appear between a few minutes to two hours following application. They also appear if patients use too much benzocaine!

Patients also need to watch out for methemoglobinemia. It causes fatal oxygen starvation to specific tissues! It is rare, though it does happen in some patients who use this medication. Typically, it occurs after several uses. However, some individuals get it after one. Patients need emergency medical attention for lightheadedness, confusion, a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and lethargy after applying this medication. Other severe side effects that require immediate care include swelling, severe burning, and blistering. Patients must stop using this medication immediately for any of these severe side effects!

Get the details on precautions for this medication next.