Over the Counter Medications for Hemorrhoid Pain

Hemorrhoids are bulges in the blood vessels of the rectum that can be very painful and irritating. Approximately 1 million Americans are afflicted with hemorrhoids each year but there are a number of over the counter medications that can treat hemorrhoid pain and provide relief.

Anesthetics

• Anesthetics such as dibucaine, benzocaine and Pramoxine are common ingredients in hemorrhoid creams, ointments and suppositories such as Nupercainal, Americaine and Tronolane. Anesthetics work by temporarily blocking the nerve cells from transmitting pain signals, making the area numb.

Corticosteroids

• Medications such as Anusol HC have the active ingredient hydrocortisone, which is an anti-inflammatory steroid. These creams, ointments and suppositories work to stop hemorrhoid pain by reducing inflammation and swelling.

Shark Liver Oil

• The main ingredient in Preparation H suppositories and cream is "shark liver oil," which is known to be a tissue reducer. This can help treat hemorrhoids by shrinking the size of the bulging blood vessel.

Sitz Bath

• Using a sitz bath involves sitting in a shallow pool of liquid, often Epsom salts to reduce pain and swelling of the hemorrhoid.

Witch Hazel

• Witch hazel compresses or wipes such as Tucks may reduce pain and swelling in a temporary fashion by soothing the irritated hemorrhoid tissue.

NSAIDs

• Some patients with hemorrhoids find relief with over the counter non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which work to relieve both pain and inflammation.