Abstract: A method for applying a topical anesthetic to an area of skin comprising the steps of a) incorporating an anesthetic in a lipophilic base into a volatile solvent, to form a homogeneous solution; b) applying the homogeneous solution into the area of skin to be treated; and c) evaporating the volatile solvent from the homogeneous solution; wherein the volatile solvent is present in the formulation in amounts between 40-80%; and wherein said topical anesthetic rapidly penetrates the skin surface at said skin, leaving a cooling sensation on the skin. The topical anesthetic formulation contains a penetrating enhancer carrier that markedly enhances the delivery of the anesthetic across human skin without altering the acceptable delivery rate of the anesthetic that needs to be delivered through the skin and leaves a cooling sensation on the skin.

Abstract: A method for applying a topical anesthetic to an area of skin comprising the steps of a) incorporating an anesthetic in a lipophilic base into a volatile solvent, to form a homogeneous solution; b) applying the homogeneous solution into the area of skin to be treated; and c) evaporating the volatile solvent from the homogeneous solution; wherein the volatile solvent is present in the formulation in amounts between 40-80%; and wherein said topical anesthetic rapidly penetrates the skin surface at said skin, leaving a cooling sensation on the skin. The topical anesthetic formulation contains a penetrating enhancer carrier that markedly enhances the delivery of the anesthetic across human skin without altering the acceptable delivery rate of the anesthetic that needs to be delivered through the skin and leaves a cooling sensation on the skin.

Abstract: A topical, transdermal anesthetic comprising a eutectic mixture of, preferably, lidocaine and prilocaine in a ratio of about 3:1 by weight, incorporated within a lipophilic base. In addition to the property of rapid-onset, the formulation of the present invention has high storage stability and is less restricted by dosage limitations of other prilocaine-containing transdermal anesthetics and is, advantageously, not dependent upon occlusive dressing for optimal transdermal absorption.