Pruritus ani

Treatment of pruritus ani
Anusol
Anusol cream

Apply (or insert 1 suppository) night, morning and after defaecation, for up to 7 days.

Anusol ointment

Apply (or insert 1 suppository) night, morning and after defaecation, for up to 7 days.

Anusol suppositories

Apply (or insert 1 suppository) night, morning and after defaecation, for up to 7 days.

Anusol HC
Anusol HC ointment

Apply (or insert 1 suppository) night, morning and after defaecation, for up to 7 days.

Anusol HC suppositories

Apply (or insert 1 suppository) night, morning and after defaecation, for up to 7 days.

Cinchocaine + Prednisolone
Scheriproct ointment

Apply twice daily for 5–7 days, apply 3–4 times a day on the first day if necessary, then apply once daily for a few days after symptoms have cleared.

Scheriproct suppositories

Apply twice daily for 5–7 days, apply 3–4 times a day on the first day if necessary, then apply once daily for a few days after symptoms have cleared.

Prescribing Notes:

  • Anusol-HC can be used to provide symptomatic relief of pruritis ani; it can be bought over-the-counter as Anusol Plus HC.

History Notes

15/12/2021

East Region Formulary content agreed.

Treatment of pruritus ani

Advise conservative self- help measures. Use of stool softeners and simple analgesia may also help.


Anusol
Anusol cream

Child 12-17 years. Apply twice daily for no longer than 7 days, to be applied morning and night, an additional dose should be applied after a bowel movement.

Anusol ointment

Child 12-17 years. Apply twice daily for no longer than 7 days, to be applied morning and night, an additional dose should be applied after a bowel movement.

Anusol suppositories

Child 12-17 years. 1 suppository twice daily for no longer than 7 days, to be inserted night and morning, additional dose after a bowel movement.

Anusol HC
Anusol HC ointment

For dose, refer to BNF for Children.

Anusol HC suppositories

For dose, refer to BNF for Children.

See additional scheriproct information in prescribing notes.

Cinchocaine + Prednisolone
Scheriproct ointment

For dose, refer to BNF for Children.

Scheriproct suppositories

For dose, refer to BNF for Children.

Prescribing Notes:

  • Provide advice on self-care measures including dietary advice on fibre and fluid intake to maintain regular bowel movements. Treat constipation if present, see formulary recommendations. Consider alternative diagnoses and treat underlying cause.
  • For short term symptomatic relief consider soothing ointment or cream. See formulary recommendations for nappy rash.
  • Anusol-HC can be used to provide symptomatic relief of pruritis ani.
  • Anusol preparations present an alternative soothing preparation, which do not contain a corticosteroid component.
  • After exclusion of infections, compound products are suitable for occasional short-term use (up to 7 days) in patients with severe symptoms. Prolonged use can cause atrophy of the anal skin, contact dermatitis and skin sensitisation.
  • Scheriproct warnings: In infants, long-term continuous therapy with topical corticosteroids should be avoided. Occlusion is not appropriate on the perineum. Adrenal suppression can occur, even without occlusion. As with all topical steroids, there is a risk of developing skin atrophy following extensive therapy. The application of unusually large quantities of topical corticoids may result in the absorption of systemically active amounts of corticoid.

History Notes

30/08/2023

East Region Formulary content agreed - ERFC 09/08/2023.