The Independent Pharmacy
Proctosedyl Ointment

Proctosedyl Ointment

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Proctosedyl Ointment - Treatment for Internal & External Piles

Proctosedyl Ointment is available to buy from The Independent Pharmacy for the fast, effective treatment of internal and external piles and haemorrhoids. All you need to do is fill in a simple medical questionnaire to be reviewed by a UK-based prescriber and your treatment can can be quickly and discreetly delivered to your door.

Suitable for age: 18 Years +
Maximum per order:2
Consultation required?Yes

This treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.

Type of medicine
Steroid and local anaesthetic
Works by
Reducing inflammation and the sensation of pain
Active ingredient
Cinchocaine Hydrochloride (Micro) BP 0.5 %ww, Hydrocortisone (Micro) EP 0.5 %ww
Effective within
2 hours
Pack size
30g tube
Strength
Cinchocaine Hydrochloride (Micro) BP 0.5 %ww, Hydrocortisone (Micro) EP 0.5 %ww
Common side effects
Skin rash, Thinning of the skin
Manufacturer
SANOFI Consumer Healthcare
Generic
No
Use with alcohol
No known issues

Proctosedyl Information

What is Proctosedyl and what is it used for?

Proctosedyl Ointment is a dual-action formula containing two active ingredients; Cinchocaine Hydrochloride and Hydrocortisone. It is mainly used to treat internal and external Haemorrhoids (piles) helping to relieve pain, discomfort and itching as well as reducing the physical size of the piles themselves.

Proctosedyl Ointment is suitable for treating external haemorrhoids around the anal area through direct application. If the Haemorrhoids are internal, the ointment can still be applied by using the plastic applicator included with every tube. This applicator or nozzle screws onto the top of the tube, allowing for comfortable insertion into the rectum.

Proctosedyl Ointment is manufactured in The UK by Sanofi-Aventis and is classified as a prescription-only-medicine (POM). Proctosedyl Ointment is available in a 30g tube, which comes with an attachable plastic applicator and a comprehensive patient information leaflet (PIL).

How does Proctosedyl work?

The first active ingredient contained in Proctosedyl ointment, Cinchocaine belongs to a group of medicines called local anaesthetics. These medicines work by blocking the pain messages along the nerve fibres at the point of application. This prevents the pain signals from reaching the brain. This will cause a numbing sensation in the area where the ointment has been applied.

The other active ingredient, Hydrocortisone belongs to a category of medicines known as Corticosteroids. These medicines work to reduce and relieve pain and inflammation. Inflammation is caused by an immune response that causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in the affected area becoming red, painful, itchy and swollen. Hydrocortisone works from within the cell, actively reducing the substances that trigger the inflammation. When Hydrocortisone is used topically to treat Haemorrhoids, it will effectively reduce the painful inflammation and swelling caused by this condition.

Alternatives to Proctosedyl

Proctosedyl ointment can be used to help manage and treat both internal and external piles, Uniroid HC Ointment is a direct alternative to this treatment. For further details on prescription-only treatments please take a look at our Advice for Haemorrhoids page.

Alternate OTC (over the counter) Medication

There are many OTC medicines available from ourselves and your local pharmacy to buy, these may be all you need, so you should try these first before moving onto a prescription only medications, here is a list of a couple that are commonly stocked.

Sources

Proctosedyl directions

Always use Proctosedyl ointment exactly as prescribed. If you are unsure, check your patient information leaflet contained within the product packaging for further instructions or contact us for further advise from one of our healthcare professionals.

  • Only apply Proctosedyl to your back passage and the surrounding areas. Do not apply to the face or other parts of the body.
  • Apply this medicine in the morning, evening and after each bowel movement.
  • If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, seek further advise from a healthcare professional.

How to apply Proctosedyl ointment

  • Wash your hands
  • Squeeze a small amount of the ointment onto your fingertip
  • Gently rub a small layer of ointment over the sore, painful or itching area
  • Wash your hands

If you need to to apply some ointment deeper into your back passage for internal haemorrhoids/piles:

  • Wash your hands
  • Screw the plastic nozzle provided onto the tube
  • Insert the nozzle into the back passage
  • Squeeze the tube gently as you slowly pull it out
  • Stay still for 1 or 2 minutes
  • Wash your hands and the nozzle

Proctosedyl ingredients

Each gram of Proctosedyl ointment contains the active ingredients: 5 mg of cinchocaine hydrochloride and 5 mg of hydrocortisone.

The other ingredients are: wool fat (lanolin), liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin.

Proctosedyl side effects

Like all medicines, Proctosedyl ointment can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you do suffer with side effects they are normally mild and last a few days. They can include:

  • Skin rash
  • Thinning of the skin

If you have used this ointment for a long time, it is possible that you could get something called ‘adrenal suppression’. Signs include lack of appetite, pain in the stomach, weight loss, feeling sick or being sick, lack of concentration, a feeling of hunger, nervousness and fits.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed.

Proctosedyl warnings

You should not order this medicine online and see your doctor if:

  • You are allergic (hypersensitive) to cinchocaine hydrochloride, hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients of Proctosedyl ointment. Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
  • You have any kind of infection.

Do not use this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Proctosedyl.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Proctosedyl can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Proctosedyl works.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

This medicine is unsuitable to order online if:

  • You are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

Ask your doctor or midwife for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Proctosedyl ointment

This medicine contains wool fat (lanolin) which may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis causes redness, itching or irritation of the skin.

Before using this medication please ensure you have read the Patient Information Leaflet contained with the product packaging thoroughly.

Proctosedyl Ointment FAQs

Related Treatments

We stock 8 other treatments for Haemorrhoids & Piles

Visit our Proctosedyl Ointment page for treatments, advice and FAQs.

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Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.