Lidocaine-prilocaine patch decreases the pain associated with the subcutaneous administration of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine but does not adverselyaffect the antibody response

Background: Topical lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA) is effective in decreasing the pain associated with minor procedures including immunizat ion, although the effect: on the antibody response to vaccine constituents has not been assessed. Objective: To measure the antibody response to measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, as well as pain reduction associated with the use of the EMLA patc h, Participants and setting: One hundred sixty healthy infants at least 12 mon ths old undergoing their first MMR immunization in an ambulatory setting. Design and interventions: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of EML A patch (5%-1 g) or placebo before MMR immunization. Blood sampling before and 28 to 35 days after immunization. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the antibody response to measles by plaque reduction neutralization and to mumps and rubella by enzy me immunoassay. The secondary outcomes were pain scores by the Modified Beh avioral Pain Scale and drug- and vaccine-associated adverse events. Results: There was no difference in the antibody response between the EMLA- and placebo-treated groups. The response rates in the EMLA group were 89.7 %, 88.3%, and 92.3% to measles, mumps, and rubella, respectively, compared with rates of`91.1%, 94.99%, and 93.7% in the placebo group (P > .05 for al l comparisons). EMLA recipients had less pain after immunization (mean Modi fied Behavioral pain Scale score increase 3.1 compared with 3.8; P = .043) and less irritability (16%, compared with 31%; P = .040) than did placebo r ecipients. Conclusions: The EMLA patch has no adverse effect on the antibody response to MMR vaccine and significantly reduces the pain associated with the subcu taneous administration of the vaccine.