"FDA Issues Warning on Health Risks of Popular Pain-Relief Creams"

The FDA has issued warning letters to six companies for marketing unapproved, misbranded pain-relief products with higher-than-allowed concentrations of lidocaine, which can pose serious health risks including irregular heartbeat, seizures, and breathing issues. The products in question are used to alleviate pain associated with cosmetic procedures, but the FDA advises against using anything containing more than 4% lidocaine, using it on large areas of skin, or wrapping it with dressings or plastic wraps.