How to Help Your Patients Find Relador in Stock: A Provider's Guide

When patients can't fill their Relador prescription, the consequences range from a delayed procedure to a canceled appointment — and frustrated calls to your office. As a provider, you can significantly reduce this friction with a few proactive strategies. This guide covers what works, what to prescribe, and how to direct patients to available resources.

Why Your Patients Are Struggling to Find Relador

Relador (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream, Accelis Pharma) is a branded-generic topical anesthetic kit. The core issue is structural: lidocaine — the primary active ingredient — has been on the ASHP drug shortage list since 2012 and continues to face supply constraints through 2026. API-level supply bottlenecks affect all lidocaine-containing formulations. Additionally, brand-name Relador Pak kits are not routinely stocked at every pharmacy; some carry only the generic or require special ordering for the kit format.

Prescribing Practice Tip #1: Write Generic from the Start

The single most impactful step you can take is to write prescriptions generically. Instead of:

"Relador Pak (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream kit)"

Write:

"Lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% topical cream — DAW 0 (substitution permitted)"

This allows pharmacists to dispense any FDA AB-rated generic in stock. The generic cream is therapeutically identical to Relador Pak; patients can use a standard occlusive dressing (such as Tegaderm or clear plastic food wrap) with the generic cream. The price difference is dramatic: generic cream often costs $19–$34 with a coupon versus $1,500+ retail for brand Relador Pak.

Prescribing Practice Tip #2: Include Application Instructions on the Rx

Whether prescribing Relador or a generic equivalent, include explicit application instructions on the prescription or in the patient's procedure instructions:

Apply approximately 2.5 g of cream per 10 cm² of skin surface to be anesthetized

Cover with an occlusive dressing (Tegaderm or plastic wrap) immediately after application

Leave in place for 45–60 minutes for superficial procedures; 2+ hours for deeper anesthesia

Remove dressing and wipe off cream just before the procedure

Prescribing Practice Tip #3: Provide a Backup Prescription

For patients whose procedures are time-sensitive, consider providing a backup prescription or standing order for LMX 4 (lidocaine 4% OTC cream). This allows patients to proceed with their procedure if they cannot locate prescription lidocaine-prilocaine. Document in the clinical note that LMX 4 is an acceptable substitution for the specific procedure planned, and verify the patient has no contraindications.

Directing Patients to Pharmacy Search Resources

Rather than leaving patients to call pharmacies on their own, point them to resources that do the work for them. medfinder for providers is a paid service that contacts pharmacies on the patient's behalf to find which ones currently have the medication in stock — and texts the patient results. This significantly reduces missed procedures due to patients showing up without their cream.

Other practical tools to mention to patients:

GoodRx and SingleCare: Show prices at nearby pharmacies and can suggest which carry the generic; prices for generic lidocaine-prilocaine can drop to $19–$25

Major chain pharmacy apps (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart): Allow patients to check availability for some medications online or by chat

Independent community pharmacies: Often stock items that chain pharmacies don't and can more readily special-order

For In-Office Use: Sourcing Strategies During a Shortage

If your practice applies lidocaine-prilocaine in-office before procedures:

Check multiple distributors — supply availability varies between Cardinal Health, McKesson, and Cencora/AmerisourceBergen

Establish a relationship with a PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy for emergency supply

Consider LMX 4 (OTC lidocaine 4% cream) as an in-office backup for superficial procedures where cost and availability favor it

Maintain a 2–4 week reserve supply without over-hoarding, to prevent compounding the shortage for other practices

Adding a Patient Instruction Sheet to Your Practice Workflow

Consider adding a one-page patient instruction sheet to your procedure prep packets that explains:

That Relador or generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream may not be in stock at all pharmacies

The generic name to ask for (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream)

Tools to find it (medfinder, GoodRx, calling multiple pharmacies)

When to contact the office if they can't locate it (at least 5 days before the procedure)

For more clinical context, see our guide on what providers need to know about the Relador shortage in 2026. Ready to refer patients? Visit medfinder for providers.