Patient info Open main menu

Proctosedyl Ointment – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is written for healthcare professionals. Patients will find plain advice in the patient information leaflet: how to take, side effects, other medicines, pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Medicine strength:
5 mg/gram + 5 mg/gram
Other strengths and forms:
Contains active substances:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Proctosedyl ointment

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Proctosedyl Ointment

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Cichocaine Hydrochloride (Micro) BP 0.5 %ww, Hydrocortisone (Micro) EP 0.5 %ww

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Yellowish-white translucent greasy ointment.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

The local anaesthetic cinchocaine relieves pain and relaxes sphincteric spasm. Pruritis and inflammation are relieved by hydrocortisone, which also decreases serious discharge.

Proctosedyl is, therefore, useful for the short term relief (not more than 7 days) of pain, irritation and pruritis associated with haemorrhoids and pruritis ani.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Apply the ointment in small quantities with the finger, on the painful or pruritic area, morning and evening and after each stool. For deep application attach cannula to tube, insert to full extent and squeeze tube gently from lower end whilst withdrawing.

The ointment may be used separately or concurrently with the suppositories.

4.3 Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Not for use in the presence of infections.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Apply only to the region of the rectum and anus and surrounding skin. Hydrocortisone can cause thinning and damage to the skin especially of the face.

As with all preparations containing topical steroids, the possibility of systemic absorption should be considered. In particular, long-term continuous therapy should be avoided in infants. Adrenal suppression can occur even without occlusion.

Visual disturbance

Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Co-treatment with CYP3A inhibitors, including cobicistat-containing products, is expected to increase the risk of systemic side-effects. The combination should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the increased risk of systemic corticosteroid side-effects, in which case patients should be monitored for systemic corticosteroid side-effects.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

In pregnant animals, administration of corticosteroids can cause abnormalities of foetal development. The relevance of this finding to human beings has not been established. However, topical steroids should not be used extensively in pregnancy, i.e. in large amounts or for long periods.

Hydrocortisone may pass into human breast milk. Given the possible maternal systemic absorption and lack of data, Proctosedyl Ointment should preferably not be used during lactation unless the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks, including those to the breastfed child.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.

4.8 Undesirable effects

The following CIOMS frequency rating is used: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1000); very rare (<1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Eye disorders

Not known: Chorioretinopathy, blurred vision (see also section 4.4)

Endocrine disorders:

Not known: Adrenal suppression.

When applied topically and to a large enough area, especially of damaged skin for long enough, or if under occlusive dressing, hydrocortisone may have this adverse effect.

Skin and subcutaneous disorders:

Not known: Urticaria, Rash.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Not applicable.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Cinchocaine is a local anaesthetic of the amide type.

Hydrocortisone is a glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and other properties.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The literature states that absorption of hydrocortisone does occur through the skin, particularly denuded skin. However, this absorption is not of a clinical significance as hydrocortisone topically, has only rarely been associated with side effects resulting from pituitary adrenal suppression.

Cinchocaine is little absorbed through the intact skin, but absorbed through mucous membranes. Like other local anaesthetics of the amide type, cinchocaine is metabolised in the liver.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

None stated.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Wool fat, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin.

6.2 Incompatibilities

None stated.

6.3 Shelf life

36 months

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Aluminium tube (5g).

Aluminium tube with plastic cannula (15g and 30g tubes).

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

None stated.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Phoenix Labs Unlimited Company,

Suite 12, Bunkilla Plaza,

Bracetown Business Park,

Clonee,

Co. Meath,

Ireland.

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 35104/0050

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

01/01/2002 / 20/07/2005

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

30/06/2023

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 35104/0050

Last revision stated in the text: 30 June 2023 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Proctosedyl ointment

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substances Cinchocaine, Hydrocortisone
Strength 5 mg/gram + 5 mg/gram
Pharmaceutical form Rectal ointment
How is it taken Rectal, Cutaneous
Excipients Wool fat, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin.
Pack sizes 30 gram
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 36 months
Storage Store below 25°C.
Drug group (ATC)
  1. C Cardiovascular system drugs
    1. C05 Vasoprotectives
      1. C05A Agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use
        1. C05AX Other agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use
          1. C05AX03 other preparations, combinations
Marketing authorisation PL 35104/0050 (first authorised 1 January 2002)
Marketing authorisation holder Phoenix Labs Unlimited Company
Codes GTIN 5013841100865, 5391513951848 · BNF 01070200

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.