Top 10 Prescription Hemorrhoid Creams

While many patients have had to deal with hemorrhoids at one point in their life, the condition is one that no one wants to get. Hemorrhoids are a common, but uncomfortable, condition. 

That doesn’t begin to cover the fact that most patients aren’t excited to have an open conversation with a medical professional due to the stigma associated with the condition. 

While most cases of hemorrhoids can be treated at-home with a variety of options that help soothe and reduce symptoms and speed up recovery time, some hemorrhoids are so severe that they need medical treatment. If your condition does not respond to the at-home, natural, and over-the-counter treatment options available, don’t panic.

While some hemorrhoid cases require surgical treatment, there are several prescription medications on the market that may do the trick. Let’s take a closer look at some of the prescription hemorrhoid creams available and how they can help heal your hemorrhoids.

Is a Prescription Hemorrhoid Cream Necessary to Treat My Hemorrhoids?

If at-home hemorrhoid treatment or over-the-counter creams and suppositories don’t provide you enough relief to handle your hemorrhoids, it may be time to contact a medical professional.

For some cases of hemorrhoids, the symptoms are so uncomfortable that they need a prescription strength medication to provide patients with relief.

Prescription hemorrhoid creams, ointments, and suppositories are usually the next step when over-the-counter options just don’t cut it. In more severe cases, your doctor may jump right to suggesting you undergo a non-invasive or surgical option to handle your hemorrhoid condition.

But, unless medically necessary, most doctors like to try a heavier strength hemorrhoid medication before they jump to the next level. Talk to your medical professional about the option that’s right for you.

If your doctor suggests you try a prescription hemorrhoid cream, you may want to have more information without having to ask your doctor embarrassing questions. Here’s a list of the top 10 creams available on the market and a little more information about the products to answer your questions.

Proctosol-HC

Proctosol-HC is just one brand name for the generic hemorrhoid cream hydrocortisone rectal. Some other brand names of the product include:

• Anucort-HC
• Anusol-HC
• Cortizone-10 Anal Itch Cream
• Anumed-HC
• Hemorrhoidal HC
• Hemril-30
• Tucks HC
• Proctozone HC
• Recort Plus

The following information is specific to the popular prescription drug brand Proctosol-HC. This prescription cream is a steroid medication that reduces inflammation in the body through its use of prescription strength hydrocortisone. Commonly known to combat the irritating symptoms of itch, hydrocortisone is used to treat itching and swelling associated with many conditions, especially hemorrhoids. Proctosol-HC is used to treat these bothersome signs of hemorrhoids and other conditions of the rectum or anus.

Proctosol-HC should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Its specific use is for the rectum. You should always wash your hands before and after use. For best results with this cream, use the applicator provided with the medication to insert the medication into the very opening of the anal canal.

While the medication is a common drug used amongst many patients, you should be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for use if you use any of the following medications:

• Congestive heart failure
• History of tuberculosis
• Stomach ulcer or diverticulitis
• Kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Colostomy or ileostomy
• Fever or any type of infection
• Myasthenia gravis

While serious side effects are rare, seek medical if you display signs of any of the following allergic reactions:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Muscle weakness
• Rapid weight gain
• Severe rectal pain or burning
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Severe stomach pain
• Seizures

Proctofoam HC

The brand name for the generic rectal foam called pramoxine, Proctofoam HC is used to treat signs of hemorrhoids or rectal irritation. Its main ingredient is an anesthetic that works to temporarily number the irritated area. It also contains a corticosteroid that reduces redness, itching, and swelling.

The product comes in a canister with an applicator and plunger attached. Once patients clean the affected area with mild soap and water, the applicator is filled and the tip is inserted inside the anus. By pushing the plunger, the foam medication is released to treat the affected area. Conditions are expected to improve within two weeks.

While side effects of this common medication are rare, you should consult your physician or seek emergency medical care if you experience any of these severe reactions:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
• Unusual hoarseness
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Very bad irritation where the medication was applied
• Swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Severe rectal pain

Analpram-HC

Analpram HC is the brand medication of the generic pramoxine and hydrocortisone rectal cream. Other brand names of Analpram-HC include:

• Analpram E
• PramCort
• ProCort

Analpram HC is used to treat skin irritation. It is also used to treat signs of hemorrhoids or rectal irritation.

The combination of the two drugs contained in Analpram HC work to treat minor pain, itching, swelling, and discomfort. Pramoxine is an anesthetic that works by temporarily numbing the area. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that reduces itching, swelling, and redness.

As with other medication side effects, patients may experience a reaction to the drug. While it is rare, stop use and contact your medical provider if you experience any of the following reactions:

• Signs of an allergic reaction like rash, hives, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, etc.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a bad upset stomach, nauseas, dizziness, mood changes, or weight fluctuations
• Signs of high blood pressure like confusion, sleepiness, increase in thirst or hunger, shortness of breath
• Irritation where the medication was applied
• Bad bleeding from the rectum
• Severe rectal pain

Dibucaine

The generic dibucaine topical comes is two brand forms, dibucaine and nupercainal. The numbing medication works as an anesthetic. It is used to treat minor main and itching caused by hemorrhoids or other rectal irritations.

Dibucaine cream should be applied to the outside of the rectum to treat external hemorrhoids. While the risk of serious side effects is low, side effects can occur when the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Stop using the medication if you experience any of the following side effects, and call your doctor:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Blue-colored skin
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Seizure
• Weak or shallow breathing
• New skin rash
• Rectal bleeding

CidalEaze

Cidalease is a prescription only cream whose generic is lidocaine hydrochloride. It is used as a topical anesthetic for relief of many common skin conditions, including hemorrhoids. Its active ingredients are lidocaine and hydrochlorothiazide. The two combine to stabilize irritations, protect the skin, and promote healing.

While many side effects haven’t been reported with this medication, you should always watch for common signs of irritation. If you have previously had any hypersensitivity to local anesthetics, you should discuss with your medical provider before using the product.

AnaMantle HC

AnaMantle HC and RectaGel HC are two brand name hemorrhoid prescription medications also known as the generic, lidocaine and hydrocortisone rectal cream and gel. The medication is used to treat signs of hemorrhoids or other rectal irritation.

Like other similar medications, AnaMantle HC combines the numbing properties of lidocaine with the antihistamine properties of hydrocortisone to relieve the common symptoms of pain, irritation, swelling, itching, burning, and general discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.

Although there are other similar forms of the medication available on the market, different patients respond to brand and concentrations of medication differently. Therefore, what works for some may or may not work for others.

This medication is safe and side effects are not likely, but contact your health care professional immediately if you experience any signs of allergic reaction or other side effects such as:

• Burning
• Stinging
• Redness
• Change in color of skin
• Severe bleeding
• Severe pain in the anus or stomach
• Irritation where the medication was applied

Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine is a generic prescription hemorrhoid medication with a variety of brand name alternatives. These include:

• Anu-Med
• Formulation R
• Hemorid
• Hemorrhoidal
• Medicone Hemorrhoidal
• PrepHem
• Anusert

The medication is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels. Since dilated blood vessels can cause hemorrhoids, it has been an effective treatment options for patients experiencing the bothersome signs of hemorrhoids. The medication will help relieve common symptoms associated with hemorrhoids, such as:

• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• Swelling
• Pain

Before you use this medication, let your doctor know if you are being treated for any of the following conditions:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Enlarged prostate
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorder

RectiCare

RectiCare is the prescription version of the generic glycerin and lidocaine. It is used to to treat signs of hemorrhoids and other rectal irritations. The lidocaine works as a numbing agent to help reduce bothersome symptoms in the rectal area. The glycerin serves as a skin protectant that allows the affected area to heal. Like any other prescription hemorrhoid medication, use exactly as directed.

Lidocaine

Lidocaine topical cream is the generic form of several name brand prescription hemorrhoids medications, including:

• AneCream
• Glydo
• LidaMantle
• Lidoderm
• LidoRx
• RadiaGuard

The local anesthetic numbing medication blocks the nerve signals in your body and reduces pain and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. While the benefits of lidocaine to treat hemorrhoids most commonly outweighs the risk of side effects, you should let your doctor know if you have are currently being treated for liver disease or take a heart rhythm medication. Additionally, talk to your health care provider if you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to topical anesthetic or other lidocaine products.

Xylocaine Jelly

Xylocaine jelly is a prescription hemorrhoid gel. It is used to stop pain, ease the irritation of common skin conditions, and treat hemorrhoids. The prescription gel uses the active ingredient of lidocaine to work as a numbing agent to fight the discomfort of hemorrhoids. The medication is applied directly to the opening of the anus to treat the discomfort of external hemorrhoids.

Adverse reactions are rare, but you should keep an eye out for common signs of allergic reaction. Contact your medical professional and stop use immediately if you experience any of these other rare, but serious reactions: 

• Seizures
• Change in eyesight
• Dizziness
• Ringing in ears
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slow heartbeat
• Bad irritation where the medication was applied
• Numbness or tingling
• Trouble breathing
• Signs of infection

While these are among some of the most common prescription hemorrhoid cream medications, there are a variety of other options available on the market today. Speak to your healthcare professional or your pharmacist for more information.

And, remember, if at-home or over-the-counter options don’t work, the answer may be a simple prescription medication to give you the relief you need to handle the healing process.