Comprehensive medication guide to Relador including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for generic lidocaine-prilocaine on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans (Tier 1–2); brand Relador Pak may require prior authorization or may not be covered.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$1,528 retail for brand Relador Pak; generic lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5%/2.5% cream available as low as $19–$34 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at most major pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
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Relador is a brand-name topical anesthetic cream manufactured by Accelis Pharma. It contains two active ingredients: lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% — the same combination found in the original EMLA cream (AstraZeneca). Relador is classified as a branded-generic, meaning it uses the same well-established formulation as EMLA but is sold under the Relador trade name.
Relador comes in two kit versions: Relador Pak (cream + Tegaderm occlusive dressing) and Relador Pak Plus (cream + additional supplies). The generic equivalent — plain lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5%/2.5% topical cream — is FDA AB-rated equivalent and widely available at a fraction of the cost.
Relador is used across a wide range of medical settings: dermatology, surgery, pediatrics, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, ENT, and dentistry. It is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA scheduling restrictions on its prescribing or dispensing. Any licensed prescriber — including nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can write for it.
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Relador works through sodium channel blockade — the same mechanism used by all amide-type local anesthetics. When applied to intact skin, lidocaine and prilocaine molecules penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis, where they enter nerve cell membranes and bind to voltage-gated sodium channels.
Voltage-gated sodium channels are essential for generating the electrical impulses (action potentials) that transmit pain signals from nerve endings to the brain. By blocking these channels, lidocaine and prilocaine prevent the pain signal from being initiated and conducted. The result is reliable topical anesthesia at the application site.
The combination of lidocaine and prilocaine in a 1:1 ratio creates what is known as a eutectic mixture — a combination whose melting point is lower than either ingredient alone. This means the mixture becomes a liquid oil at body temperature, allowing it to penetrate intact skin far more effectively than either drug alone. This is what makes Relador uniquely effective as a topical skin anesthetic, unlike topical benzocaine which only works on mucous membranes.
2.5%/2.5% — Topical cream (30g tube)
Standard tube for procedures; apply 2.5g per 10cm² under occlusion 45-60 minutes before procedure
2.5%/2.5% — Relador Pak (cream + Tegaderm kit)
Kit includes cream and occlusive dressing for convenience; typical kit contains enough for 1-3 applications
2.5%/2.5% — Relador Pak Plus (enhanced kit)
Kit with cream plus additional procedural supplies
Relador's availability in 2026 is affected by broader lidocaine supply chain disruptions. Lidocaine — the primary active ingredient — has been on the ASHP drug shortage list since June 2012. While injectable lidocaine is most severely impacted, API-level supply constraints affect all lidocaine-containing formulations to varying degrees. Localized stockouts of topical lidocaine-prilocaine cream, including Relador, occur regularly across many US pharmacy markets.
Brand Relador Pak kits are not routinely stocked at all pharmacies — many carry only the generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream or must special-order the kit. Generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream is more widely available, and patients can use a standard Tegaderm or plastic wrap as the occlusive dressing in place of the kit component. Availability varies significantly by pharmacy location, chain, and region.
If you're having trouble finding Relador at your pharmacy, medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near you to find which ones currently have your medication in stock — and texts you the results, saving hours of frustrating phone calls.
Relador is not a controlled substance and carries no DEA scheduling restrictions. Any licensed prescriber with authority to prescribe non-controlled medications in their state may write for Relador or generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream. This includes:
Dermatologists — most common prescribers for pre-procedure skin anesthesia
Surgeons (general, plastic, Mohs micrographic)
Pediatricians — widely prescribed for needle procedures in children
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and family medicine providers
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — full prescribing authority in most states
Anesthesiologists and CRNAs — in procedural/surgical settings
ENT specialists (otolaryngologists) — ear, nose, and throat procedure prep
Telehealth prescribing is available for Relador and generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream. Since it is not a controlled substance, the Ryan Haight Act limitations do not apply. Patients can obtain prescriptions via virtual visits through their primary care provider, urgent care telehealth platforms (Teladoc, MDLive), or dermatology telehealth services — making it convenient to get a prescription before a scheduled procedure without an in-person visit.
No. Relador (lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5%/2.5% cream) is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. Neither lidocaine nor prilocaine appear on the DEA's controlled substance schedules (Schedules I–V). This means:
No special DEA registration requirements for prescribers
No limitations on the number of refills based on controlled substance scheduling
Any licensed prescriber, including NPs and PAs in most states, can prescribe it without DEA-specific restrictions
Prescriptions can be sent electronically, called in, or faxed — no written Schedule II requirements apply
Relador does require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, as it is not available over the counter. However, its non-controlled status makes it straightforward to prescribe, refill, and dispense compared to scheduled medications.
Most patients experience only mild, temporary local reactions at the application site:
Skin pallor (blanching) — temporary whitening of skin from vasoconstriction
Erythema (redness) — temporary flushing after cream removal
Edema (mild swelling) at application site
Itching, tingling, or mild burning sensation while cream is active
Skin temperature changes (warmth or coolness) at application site
Serious side effects (seek emergency care immediately):
Methemoglobinemia — blue/gray discoloration of lips, fingernails, or skin; difficulty breathing; dizziness; confusion; rapid heartbeat; seizures
Systemic toxicity from overuse — CNS effects (tremors, confusion, seizures), cardiac effects (arrhythmia)
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — widespread rash, facial swelling, throat tightness, difficulty breathing
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EMLA Cream (lidocaine/prilocaine)
The original reference brand containing identical ingredients (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5%); may be available where Relador Pak is not
Generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream
FDA AB-rated equivalent; same active ingredients; available $19-$34 with discount cards versus $1,500+ for Relador Pak brand
LMX 4 (lidocaine 4% cream, OTC)
Over-the-counter lidocaine-only cream; good for minor needle procedures; no prescription needed; eliminates prilocaine-related methemoglobinemia risk
Benzocaine 20% gel
Ester-type local anesthetic for mucous membranes only (dental, ENT); not a substitute for skin anesthesia; faster onset than lidocaine-prilocaine
Prefer Relador? We can find it.
Dapsone
majorPotent methemoglobin inducer; combination with Relador significantly increases methemoglobinemia risk
Nitrofurantoin
majorCommon UTI antibiotic; concurrent use increases methemoglobin formation risk
Sulfasalazine
majorUsed for IBD and rheumatoid arthritis; additive methemoglobin-inducing potential with prilocaine
Phenobarbital
majorAnti-epileptic; increases methemoglobin formation when combined with prilocaine
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
majorAnti-epileptic; additive methemoglobin potential; may compound CNS effects with lidocaine toxicity
Chloroquine/Primaquine
majorAntimalarial drugs with methemoglobin-inducing potential; avoid concurrent use
Nitroglycerin
moderateNitrate with methemoglobin-inducing potential; may combine with prilocaine to elevate methemoglobin
Other local anesthetics
moderateAdditive systemic toxicity risk; always disclose any topical anesthetic use before procedures
Metoclopramide
moderateNausea/gastroparesis medication; has methemoglobin-inducing properties
Acetaminophen
minorMinor interaction; may slightly increase methemoglobin formation at standard doses
Relador (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream) is an effective, well-established topical anesthetic that has been prescribed before procedures for decades under the EMLA formulation. It works by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing pain signal transmission during procedures. For most patients, generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream — available for as little as $19–$34 with a discount card — is the most practical and cost-effective option.
Supply availability is the key challenge in 2026. Due to ongoing lidocaine supply chain disruptions, not every pharmacy will have Relador or generic lidocaine-prilocaine in stock. Start your pharmacy search 5–7 days before any scheduled procedure. Ask your prescriber to write generically (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream, DAW 0) to maximize your options. For in-office or urgent procedures, LMX 4 (OTC lidocaine 4% cream) is a readily available alternative for minor needle procedures.
If you're struggling to find Relador at your local pharmacy, medfinder is a paid service that contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones currently have it in stock. Don't spend hours on hold — let medfinder do the work so you can focus on your health.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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