Ethyl Chloride
Ethyl Chloride is a topical anesthetic spray used to produce temporary numbness of the skin surface. It works by rapidly evaporating on the skin, causing a cooling effect that desensitizes nerve endings. This medication is commonly used before minor dermatological procedures, injections, or other brief painful interventions to provide quick, short-acting local anesthesia.
Ethyl Chloride is a topical anesthetic spray that provides rapid, short-acting numbing of the skin for minor procedures.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- N01BX01
- RxNorm
- 4141
- Generic
- Ethyl Chloride
- Class
- atc-n01
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- topical
- Forms
- spray
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Used for temporary local anesthesia of the skin before minor surgical procedures, venipuncture, needle insertions, and superficial dermatological interventions such as wart removal or incision and drainage of small abscesses.
Ethyl chloride rapidly evaporates upon contact with skin, causing immediate cooling of the tissue. This rapid temperature drop temporarily blocks nerve conduction in the superficial skin layers, producing localized numbness within seconds.
Should be applied in short bursts rather than continuous spraying. Not for use on broken skin or mucous membranes. Avoid inhalation of vapors. Should not be used near open flames due to flammability. Effects are brief, typically lasting only 30-60 seconds.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 25, 2026. · Read our editorial policy