Anusol Plus HC Ointment (15g)

What is Anusol Plus HC ointment?

Anusol Plus HC ointment is a medicine to relieve internal and external piles (haemorrhoids). It is safe for most adults over the age of 18 years old to use.

It contains four active ingredients, which work to lessen your problem and encourage new skin cells to grow.

Anusol is also availble as suppositories.

What is Anusol Plus HC ointment used to treat?

This medication is used to treat haemorrhoids (commonly known as “piles”).

The symptoms of piles may include rectal bleeding, swelling (which may be felt as a lump or blockage in the anus), anal itching, pain or irritation.

According to Mayoclinic.org, there are a number of triggers that can cause haemorrhoids, including:

• Stress
• Constipation
• Pregnancy
• Straining during a bowel movement
• Sitting down for too long
• Obesity
• Diarrhoea
• Obesity
• Anal intercourse
• Heavy lifting
• Low-fibre diet

Many people suffer for unnecessarily long periods of time with the condition because they are too embarrassed to seek medical attention. This condition can normally be treated quite easily and there are a wide variety of treatment options available to ease your symptoms.

Common symptoms of Piles (Haemorrhoids)

40% of individuals with Haemorrhoids do not display any symptoms (asymptomatic). Symptoms of haemorrhoids can differ depending on the type of haemorrhoid you are suffering from.

Internal Piles (Haemorrhoids)

Internal haemorrhoids are located inside the rectum, they cannot be seen or felt and can be quite difficult to identify and diagnose. Internal haemorrhoids are usually painless, however in some instances they can cause discomfort.

External Piles (Haemorrhoids)

External haemorrhoids are typically easier to spot as they have more physical symptoms that will appear. External haemorrhoids are usually located under the skin around the opening of the anus.

How does Anusol Plus HC ointment work?

Anusol Plus HC ointment works to provide comprehensive treatment for haemorrhoids.

This ointment can treat both internal and external haemorrhoids (piles), as well as anal itching.

Anusol Plus HC ointment contains the following active ingredients: hydrocortisone acetate, benzyl benzoate, bismuth subgallate, bismuth oxide, zinc oxide and balsam peru. Each of these ingredients work to treat the condition.

Bismuth oxide, balsam peru, bismuth subgallate and zinc oxide each possess mild antiseptic, protective and astringent properties. They help to soothe and protect raw areas of skin.

Hydrocortisone acetate is a corticosteroid which reduces inflammation, helping to relieve swelling and itching.

How to use Anusol Plus HC ointment

This ointment is for topical use only. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the ointment.

Anusol Plus HC ointment can be applied to the affected area up to four times a day.

To treat external piles: Wash the affected area with a gentle soap, then dry it with a soft towel. Apply the ointment to the whole of the affected area.

To treat internal piles: Wash the affected area with a gentle soap, then dry with a soft towel. Screw the nozzle provided onto the tube. Remove the nozzle cap and insert the nozzle into your anus. Squeeze the bottle gently to release the ointment. Thoroughly clean the nozzle after each use.

Do not use this medication for longer than seven days. Contact your doctor if your piles have not healed after using this ointment for seven days.

See the patient information leaflet for comprehensive instructions.

Who can use Anusol Plus HC ointment?

Anusol is an effective relief treatment for anal itching and piles, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Do not use this product if:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in this product (please see the Ingredients tab for full details)
• You have viral, fungal or bacterial skin sores

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using Anusol Plus HC ointment if:

• Your symptoms do not improve or get worse after you have used this medicine for 7 days
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have blood in your stools, rectal bleeding or any doubt that the bleeding you have is a result of piles

This medicine is not suitable for children under 18 years old.

This list is not exhaustive. Always read the patient information leaflet, which comes with your medicine, for full details on why this medicine may not be suitable for you.

Can you buy Anusol Plus HC over the counter?

Yes, this ointment does not need a prescription and is available to buy from supermarkets and pharmacies.

Can you buy Anusol Plus HC ointment online?

Yes, you can buy Anusol Plus HC ointment online from Medicine Direct. All you have to do is fill out our online consultation form for one of our prescribers to review. This is to make sure that Anusol Plus HC is right for you.

You can then order it from our online pharmacy; order by 2pm and we can offer you next day delivery.

Never order any medicine online unless it is from a pharmacy that is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), like Medicine Direct.

Anusol Plus HC ointment alternatives

Haemorrhoids are an uncomfortable and embarrassing problem to have to deal with, but the good news is that a range of medications are available to combat this condition. Anusol Plus HC is also available as a suppository medicine, which can be purchased from our online pharmacy without a prescription. The suppositories contain the same active ingredients as the ointment version of Anusol Plus and will work in the same way to relieve piles. However, you will insert these suppositories into the rectum.

Prescription-strength topical medicines can also be bought from Medicine Direct after an online consultation. Corticosteroid treatments like Scheriproct and Uniroid will work to relieve inflammation caused by haemorrhoids. They also contain a local anaesthetic to provide fast-acting pain relief from your problem.

The full range of medical treatments available from Medicine Direct can be seen on the Haemorrhoids and Piles page.

You can also make certain lifestyle alternations to reduce the risk of piles developing. Haemorrhoid preventions include:

• Eating a high-fibre diet
• Taking regular exercise
• Avoid over straining
• Going to the toilet when needed
• Maintaining a heath body weight, obesity increases the risks of piles

Dosage and Instructions

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Anusol Plus HC Suppositories.

Always use Anusol Plus HC ointment as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Read the patient information leaflet, which will come with the product, before using it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further guidance if you are unsure of how to use it.

Storage

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25C and do not use this product after the expiry date, which can be found on the packet

Side effects

Like all medicines, Anusol Plus HC ointment comes with the risk of side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

You may suffer burning, itching, redness, irritation or pain while applying the ointment, but this does not usually last for long. If any of these feelings last for longer than a few days, speak to your doctor.

Some people may also experience blurred vision. Speak to your doctor if this problem bothers you or does not go away.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive. Please refer to the Side Effects tab for rarer, more serious reactions you may suffer. Always read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of side effects.

Serious Side Effects

In very rare cases, you may experience a severe allergic reaction to this medicine.

You should either go to A&E or dial 999 straight away if you experience any of the following reactions:

• You are wheezing
• You get a skin rash that is red, itchy, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• You have swelling around the affected area or anywhere on your body
• You are finding it difficult to breathe or speak
• You have tightness in your chest or throat

You may require immediate treatment in hospital. Be sure to take the medicine and its packaging with you if you are required to go to hospital.

Always refer to the patient information leaflet for full details on all side effects and how to cope with them. If you are worried about side effects or have any questions, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor before you start using Anusol.

Warnings and drug interactions

Before starting a new form of medicine, it is very important that you inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, or have recently taken, any other form of medicine. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements as some medicines may inerat with Anusol Plus HC ointment.

In particular, make sure your doctor or pharmacist is aware if you are currently using or have recently used any corticosteroids.

Some medicines can increase the effects of Anusol Plus HC ointment, including certain medicines to treat the HIV infection.

This medicine contains castor oil, which can cause skin reactions in some people.

Lanolin anhydrous can also cause local skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis.

This medicine should not be used by children under 18 years old, pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. If you are trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant, make sure your pharmacist is aware.

If you have any questions or concerns at all, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

This medicine is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Make sure you tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are currently trying to get pregnant.

If anyone swallows this medicine

Go to A&E or call 111 straight away if you or anyone else accidentally swallows some of this medicine. Be sure to take the patient information leaflet, medicine packaging and the medicine itself with you if you need to go to A&E.

Anusol plus HC Ointment Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Zinc oxide, Benzyl benzoate, Bismuth oxide, Bismuth, Subgallate, Balsam peru and Hydrocortisone acetate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics