Description
Scheriproct is a medicine used to alleviate the symptoms caused by piles (haemorrhoids), these include itching, swelling and soreness of the anus. It contains a substance which reduces inflammation (prednisolone) together with a local anaesthetic (cinchocaine) which helps to relieve the pain and discomfort.
Scheriproct is for the short-term treatment of piles and should be used between 5 and 7 days. The suppositories can be used to treat the symptoms internally whilst the ointment can be used both internally and externally.
How to use Scheriproct suppositories
Scheriproct should always be used as prescribed by your doctor and pharmacist and should not be used for a duration of longer than 7 days. It is important to always wash your hands before and after application.
Application
- Before you insert a suppository,you need to locate the small tear in the foil packet and removethe covering foil by tearing in half
- If the suppositories have softened due to a warm temperature, they canbe hardened by putting them into cold water before you remove the coveringfoil
- Insert the whole suppository into the anus-to aid insertion, either stand with one foot raised on a chair or squatdown.
The recommended treatment is one suppository per day- to be inserted ideally after a bowel movement. If you are experiencing severe discomfort, you can administer one suppository up to three times per day at the start of the treatment.
You should not use Scheriproct Suppositories if:
- if you are allergic to prednisolone hexanoate, cinchocaine hydrochloride, otherlocal anaesthetics or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- you have a viral infection (e.g. herpes, shingles, chickenpox)
- you have any bacterial or fungal infections of the skin or elsewhere for which you are not receiving treatment.
To treat difficult piles, you may also choose to use Scheriproct suppositories to treat internal piles and the associated symptoms. These are available from My Chemist Plustogether with other treatments.
Other medicines and Scheriproct
You should consult your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or may take another medicine.
Some medicines can increase the effects of Scheriproct and your doctor may want tomonitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines forHIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).
For further information on piles see the NHS website
Piles (haemorrhoids)
Piles (haemorrhoids) are enlarged blood vessels that form inside and around the anus. They are often round, small and discoloured lumps that can cause some discomfort although they often improve on their own after a few days.
The symptoms of piles include:
- bright red blood after you have a bowel movement
- an itchy anus
- feeling like you still need to poo after going to the toilet
- slimy mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom
- lumps around your anus
- pain around your anus
How to treat or prevent piles
There are things you can do to help treat and prevent piles from occurring, these include:
- drink lots of fluid and eat plenty of fibre to keep your bowel movements soft and regular
- wipe your bottom with damp toilet paper
- take paracetamol- if you experience discomfort from your piles
- take a warm bath to ease itching and pain
- use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort
- gently push a pile back inside
- keep your bottom clean and dry
- exercise regularly
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine (like tea, coffee and cola) to avoid constipation
Things to avoid:
- do not wipe your bottom too hard after you poo
- do not ignore the urge to poo
- do not strain too hard when trying to poo
- do not take painkillers that contain codeine- these can cause constipation
- do not take ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding
- do not spend more time than you need to on the toilet
You should consult your GP if:
- there is no improvement after 7 days of treatment at home
- you suffer from recurring piles
Your GP may prescribe stronger medicines for haemorrhoids or constipation.
Causes of piles
It is not entirely clear what causes piles to form but there are things that can increase the chances of getting them, these include:
- suffering from constipation
- pushing too hard when pooing
- pregnancy
- heavy lifting