Hemorrhoids Medication

  • Author: Scott C Thornton, MD; Chief Editor: John Geibel, MD, DSc, MA   more...
 
Updated: Aug 25, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce pain and constipation in patients with hemorrhoids.

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Stool softeners

Class Summary

Stool-softening agents are used to avoid straining and constipation.

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Docusate sodium (Colace, Correctol, Dok, Dulcolax)

 

Docusate is indicated for patients who should avoid straining during defecation. This agent allows incorporation of water and fat into stool, causing stool to soften.

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Topical anesthetics

Class Summary

Topical anesthetic agents are indicated for pain.

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Lidocaine ointment 5% (Lidoderm, Regenecare, LidaMantle)

 

Topical lidocaine increases permeability to sodium ions in neuronal membranes, resulting in inhibition of depolarization, blocking transmission of nerve impulses.

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Mild astringent

Class Summary

This agent is used to relieve itching.

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Hamamelis water (Witch Hazel)

 

Hamamelis water is a mild astringent prepared from twigs of Hamamelis virginiana. This agent is used to temporarily relieve the itching of hemorrhoids.

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Analgesics

Class Summary

Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Analgesics ensure patient comfort, which is beneficial for patients who have painful lesions.

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Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Aspirin Free Anacin, Feverall, Mapap)

 

Acetaminophen is the drug of choice (DOC) for treatment of pain in patients with documented hypersensitivity to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with upper gastrointestinal (GI) disease, or who are taking oral anticoagulants. This agent reduces fever by direct action on the hypothalamic heat-regulating centers, which increases dissipation of body heat via vasodilation and sweating.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Scott C Thornton, MD  Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine; Director, Colorectal Teaching, Bridgeport Hospital; Private Practice, Park Avenue Surgical Associates

Scott C Thornton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kyle R Perry, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital

Kyle R Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, and Michigan State Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Adam J Rosh, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Adam J Rosh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Brian James Daley, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCP, CNSC  Professor, Associate Program Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Critical Care, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine

Brian James Daley, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCP, CNSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Association for Academic Surgery, Association for Surgical Education, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

William G Gossman, MD  Associate Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Creighton University Medical Center

William G Gossman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM  Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, LeConte Medical Center

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

John Geibel, MD, DSc, MA  Vice Chair and Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Gastrointestinal Medicine, and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine; Director, Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital

John Geibel, MD, DSc, MA is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Physiological Society, American Society of Nephrology, Association for Academic Surgery, International Society of Nephrology, New York Academy of Sciences, and Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Disclosure: AMGEN Royalty Consulting; ARdelyx Ownership interest Board membership

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors David R Gurley, MD, Richard Sinert, DO, and Pilar Guerrero, MD,to the development and writing of a source article.

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Anatomy of external hemorrhoid. Image courtesy of MedicineNet, Inc.
Thrombosed hemorrhoid. This hemorrhoid was treated by incision and removal of clot.
 
 
 
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