Updated: March 26, 2026

What Is Relador? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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What Is Relador?
What Is Relador Used For?
How Do You Use Relador? Step-by-Step Application
Dosage: How Much Relador Should You Use?
Is Relador a Controlled Substance?
Finding Relador at a Pharmacy in 2026

What is Relador? It's a lidocaine-prilocaine topical anesthetic cream used to numb skin before procedures. Here's everything patients need to know in 2026.

If your doctor prescribed "Relador" and you've never heard of it before, you're not alone. Relador is a prescription topical anesthetic — a cream applied to your skin before a procedure to numb the area and prevent pain. Here's a complete plain-English guide to what it is, how it works, how to use it, and what to expect.

What Is Relador?

Relador is the brand name for a topical anesthetic cream containing two active ingredients:

Lidocaine 2.5%: An amide-type local anesthetic that numbs nerves by blocking pain signal transmission

Prilocaine 2.5%: Another amide-type local anesthetic that works alongside lidocaine to deepen and prolong the numbing effect

Relador is manufactured by Accelis Pharma and comes in two kit versions: Relador Pak (cream + Tegaderm dressing) and Relador Pak Plus (cream + additional supplies). The generic equivalent of Relador is simply "lidocaine-prilocaine cream" — the same formulation as the original brand EMLA.

What Is Relador Used For?

Relador is used to numb the skin and mucous membranes before painful procedures. Common uses include:

IV line insertion and blood draws — especially in children and needle-anxious adults

Skin biopsies and minor dermatologic surgery

Laser treatments and chemical peels

Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer

Tattoo or laser hair removal procedures (off-label)

Ear, nose, and throat procedures

Dental procedures on mucous membranes

How Do You Use Relador? Step-by-Step Application

Using Relador correctly is essential for it to work. Follow your prescriber's instructions, but general application steps are:

Clean and dry the skin area where you'll apply the cream.

Apply a thick layer of cream — approximately 2.5 grams (about a teaspoon) per 10 cm² of skin.

Cover the cream with the included occlusive dressing (Tegaderm) or plain plastic food wrap. This traps the cream and allows it to penetrate the skin more effectively.

Leave in place for 45–60 minutes for superficial procedures. For deeper anesthesia (skin grafts, Mohs), your doctor may ask you to apply it 1–2 hours in advance.

Just before your procedure, remove the dressing and wipe off the remaining cream.

The numbing effect peaks at about 1–2 hours after application and lasts for approximately 1–2 hours after the cream is removed. Do not apply Relador to broken skin, inside the ears, or near the eyes.

Dosage: How Much Relador Should You Use?

For adults, dosing is based on the size of the area being treated:

Minor procedures (e.g., needle insertion): 2.5 g cream over 20–25 cm² of skin, applied 1 hour before procedure

Larger skin procedures: Up to 2 g/10 cm² over the area, applied 2+ hours in advance

Mucous membranes: Apply 5–10 g to the mucous membrane for 5–10 minutes for specific procedures; follow your doctor's instructions

For children, dosing is weight-based. Specific pediatric dosing tables are in the prescribing information; never estimate for children — follow your prescriber's directions exactly.

Is Relador a Controlled Substance?

No. Relador is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. You don't need a special prescription, and there are no refill restrictions based on controlled substance scheduling. However, it does require a standard prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Finding Relador at a Pharmacy in 2026

Due to supply constraints related to the broader lidocaine shortage, Relador and generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream may not be available at all pharmacies. If your first-choice pharmacy doesn't have it, medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near you to find which ones currently have it in stock. For more on side effects and safety, see our guide to Relador side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Relador (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream) is used to numb the skin before procedures — including IV placements, blood draws, skin biopsies, minor surgery, laser treatments, and dermatologic procedures. It is applied to intact skin 45–60 minutes before a procedure and provides topical anesthesia lasting approximately 1–2 hours.

Apply Relador 45–60 minutes before minor procedures (needle insertions, IV placement). For deeper or larger procedures like skin grafts or Mohs surgery, your doctor may recommend applying it 1–2 hours in advance. Always follow your prescriber's specific instructions.

Yes, functionally. Relador contains the same active ingredients (lidocaine 2.5% + prilocaine 2.5%) as EMLA — the original brand-name version of this medication. Generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream is FDA AB-rated equivalent to both. Relador Pak adds an occlusive dressing kit to the cream.

Yes. Relador works best when applied under an occlusive dressing — meaning a waterproof covering that traps the cream against your skin. Relador Pak includes a Tegaderm dressing for this purpose. If using the generic cream, you can cover it with a piece of clear plastic food wrap and medical tape.

Relador is made by Accelis Pharma. It is classified as a branded-generic medication — a generic formulation of lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5%/2.5% (originally marketed as EMLA by AstraZeneca) sold under the Relador trade name.

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