What is Proctosedyl?
Proctosedyl is used to provide relief from haemorrhoids (also known as piles) and irritation of the bottom. Piles are lumps inside and around your bottom that can feel itchy, uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Proctosedyl works as a local anaesthetic for short-term relief from the pain and irritation associated with piles, where the veins get swollen in your anus and lower rectum. Piles can be internal or external, meaning that sometimes they’re visible.
They can be caused by straining when you go to the toilet, sitting for long periods of time on the toilet, ageing, being overweight, having a diet low in fibre or by chronic diarrhoea or constipation. They can also be triggered or made worse by things like childbirth too, but often the exact cause is unknown.
Piles are nothing to be embarrassed about; it’s estimated that 4.4.% of the general population worldwide experience them. But they’re not often talked about, likely due to embarrassment or shame because of the area of the body where the condition occurs.
Some other conditions such as fissures, fistula, abscesses and tears are incorrectly called haemorrhoids as they share some of the symptoms. It’s important to be sure that you have piles or related issues that can be resolved by proctosedyl before starting your treatment.
When it comes to treating piles, Proctosedyl is available as an ointment as well as a suppository. If you have sensitive skin, the suppository might be a better choice for you to avoid further irritation.
How does Proctosedyl work?
It contains two active ingredients, hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, and Cinchocaine hydrochloride, an anaesthetic that numbs soreness and pain. This relief can mean less irritation in the long run for you, despite Proctosedyl being a short-term treatment.
What doses of proctosedyl are there?
There’s just the one dose: 0.5%. Treatment with Proctosedyl is straightforward: it’s a seven-day course that’s used as needed (when you go to the toilet and empty your bowels).