Ethyl Chloride: A Quick Overview

Ethyl Chloride is a topical anesthetic skin refrigerant (vapocoolant) that instantly numbs the skin by rapidly evaporating and cooling the surface, providing temporary pain relief for medical procedures and sports injuries.

What Is Ethyl Chloride?

Ethyl Chloride, also known by its chemical name Chloroethane, is sold under the brand name Gebauer's Ethyl Chloride. It is manufactured by Gebauer Company in Cleveland, Ohio — the sole manufacturer of this product in the United States.

Ethyl Chloride is classified as an FDA-cleared prescription medical device, not a drug. This distinction is important because it affects how the product is purchased, distributed, and covered by insurance. It belongs to the vapocoolant/skin refrigerant class of topical anesthetics.

Key facts:

• Not a controlled substance — no DEA scheduling
• Prescription required — applied by healthcare professionals
• Single-source product — manufactured only by Gebauer Company
• No generic version currently available

What Is Ethyl Chloride Used For?

Ethyl Chloride has several FDA-cleared uses:

Approved Indications

• Pain control for injections — reduces pain during vaccinations, IV starts, and blood draws
• Minor surgical procedures — numbs the skin before lancing boils and incision and drainage of small abscesses
• Sports injuries — provides temporary relief for contusions, bruises, and sprains
• Myofascial pain management — used as a counterirritant in the spray and stretch technique to treat restricted motion, muscle tension, and trigger points

Off-Label Uses

Healthcare providers also use Ethyl Chloride for:

• Trigger point therapy
• Cosmetic procedures (before dermal filler injections)
• Pediatric procedural pain management
• Ear piercing pain management

To learn more about how Ethyl Chloride works at a molecular level, check out our detailed mechanism of action guide.

How Is Ethyl Chloride Used?

Ethyl Chloride is always applied by a healthcare professional — it is not a take-home medication. Here is how it works:

Application Method

1. The provider holds the bottle or can 3 to 9 inches from the target area
2. They spray for 3 to 7 seconds (glass bottle) or 4 to 10 seconds (aerosol can)
3. The skin turns white as it cools — this is normal
4. Numbness begins almost immediately and lasts about 60 seconds
5. The provider performs the injection, procedure, or stretch during this window

For Spray and Stretch Technique

When used for myofascial pain, the provider sprays from 12 to 18 inches away in parallel sweeps over the affected muscle while simultaneously stretching it. This technique can help release trigger points and improve range of motion.

Available Formulations

Ethyl Chloride comes in several forms:

• Fine Stream Spray Bottle (3.5 oz / 100 mL amber glass)
• Medium Stream Spray Bottle (3.5 oz / 100 mL amber glass)
• Mist Spray Can (3.9 oz aerosol)
• Accustream 360 Fine Stream Can
• Accustream 360 Medium Stream Can

Who Should Not Use Ethyl Chloride?

Ethyl Chloride should not be used in the following situations:

• Allergy to Ethyl Chloride (Chloroethane) — if you have had a reaction to this product before, tell your provider
• Near open flames or cautery equipment — Ethyl Chloride is highly flammable
• On broken or damaged skin — for most indications, it should only be applied to intact skin
• Areas with poor circulation — the cooling effect combined with reduced blood flow can increase the risk of frostbite or tissue damage

For more on safety concerns, read our guide on Ethyl Chloride side effects.

Special Populations

• Children: Approved for use in children ages 3 and older
• Pregnant women: Use only if prescribed by a doctor
• Breastfeeding: Unknown if it passes into breast milk — consult your doctor

How Much Does Ethyl Chloride Cost?

Ethyl Chloride costs between $30 and $65 per bottle or can, depending on the formulation and retailer. However, most patients never see this cost directly because:

• It is typically included in the cost of a medical procedure or office visit
• It is purchased by healthcare facilities through medical supply distributors like McKesson and McGuff
• Insurance coverage varies, but the product is usually billed as part of the overall procedure

There is no generic version of Ethyl Chloride currently available, and Gebauer Company does not offer a traditional patient savings card since the product is primarily sold to healthcare facilities.

If cost is a concern for your practice or facility, check out our guide on saving money on Ethyl Chloride.

Final Thoughts

Ethyl Chloride is a unique medical product — a fast-acting vapocoolant spray that provides instant but short-lived pain relief. It is most commonly used in clinical settings for injections, minor procedures, sports injuries, and myofascial pain therapy. Because it is a single-source medical device with no generic version, availability can sometimes be a challenge.

If you need to find Ethyl Chloride in stock or locate a provider who uses it, Medfinder can help you search for availability in your area.