Adverse local reactions to amethocaine cream--audit and case reports.

Amethocaine has recently been introduced as a topical local anaesthetic preparation. Following sporadic reports of severe local adverse effects, we conducted an audit of 372 children attending our hospital for day surgery. We conclude that 4% amethocaine cream is a safe and effective topical anaesthetic and that the incidence of severe local adverse reactions is rare. We also report two of these local reactions, one involving occupational exposure.