FDA Alert-cosmetic procedure topical pain creams causes 2 deaths

2009-01-20 19:51:23 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Justice News Flash, Product liability)

OTC numbing cream used for laser hair removal

JusticeNewsFlash.com top news for South Florida product liability lawyers - OTC skin numbing creams for cosmetic laser hair removal cause injury and death.

West Palm Beach, FL (JusticeNewsFlash.com)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) www.fda.gov issued a consumer alert about topical anesthetic creams. Over-the-counter (OTC) skin numbing creams, commonly used before cosmetic procedures, have been linked to two young women’s deaths. The FDA received reports of two deaths and several adverse events from patients using the cream. Typical reactions from using the pain cream are irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties, seizures, coma and now death.

According to medical investigators with the federal government, both women were in their early 20’s and had applied the topical anesthetic to their legs before laser hair removal. The pain creams contain lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine. The women applied the topical pain ointment to their legs and wrapped them in plastic wrap, as directed by their health care provider, to increase the creams numbing effect. The women suffered drug toxicity, which caused seizures, leading to coma and their deaths.

The FDA issued a public health warning in February 2007 about these topical numbing creams. The above adverse side effects when using the pain ointments have caused serious injuries to children and adults, including death. These pain creams have been approved by the FDA for use before cosmetic laser hair removal and other cosmetic procedures. They are available over-the-counter at local drug stores. These dangerous products remain available for use by consumers.

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