Potential for an external vaginal antiitch cream containing benzocaine to cause methemoglobinemia in healthy women - 10/09/11
Abstract |
OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to assess the potential for an external vaginal antiitch cream (20% benzocaine, 3% resorcinol) to significantly increase levels of methemoglobin above normal in healthy women.
STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-five women reporting external vaginal itch were recruited for the study. Each patient was used as her own control with methemoglobin levels being measured before and after use of the cream. Women were instructed to apply a 1-inch strip of cream by fingertip to the external genital area three or four times a day for 7 consecutive days.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in methemoglobin levels before and after use or in levels from a subgroup of women aged >50 years compared with levels in a younger population.
CONCLUSIONS: This preparation appears to be safe when used as directed; however, the results cannot be extrapolated to the very young. Nevertheless, lavish or frequent application over wide areas of excoriation might lead to toxic concentrations and methemoglobinemia. Therefore patients with serious vaginal disease should be advised against self-treatment beyond the 7-day limit imposed by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter external analgesic medications. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;176:1006-8.)
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Benzocaine, methemoglobinemia, vaginal antiitch cream
Plan
From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,a the Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology,b and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,c Dartmouth Medical School, and the Department of Toxicology, Combe, Inc. |
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Supported by a contract from Combe, Inc., White Plains, New York (J.L.C. and B.D.S.), and by United States Public Health Service grant HL 14127 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R.P.S.). |
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Reprint requests: John L. Currie, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, #1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756. |
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0002-9378/97 $5.00 + 0 6/1/80764 |
Vol 176 - N° 5
P. 1006-1008 - mai 1997 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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