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Why is this medication prescribed?
Pramoxine is used to temporarily relieve pain and itching from insect bites; poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac; minor cuts, scrapes, or burns; minor skin irritation or rashes; or dry, itchy skin. Pramoxine also may be used to treat soreness, burning, itching, and pain from hemorrhoids (”piles”) and other minor rectal irritations or itching. Pramoxine is in a class of medications called topical anesthetics. It works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals.
How should this medicine be used?
Pramoxine comes as a gel or spray to apply to the skin. Pramoxine also comes as a cream, foam, lotion, or solution (liquid) to apply to the rectal area.The solution comes as individual pledgets (medicated wipes for one time use).Pramoxine is usually applied to the affected area several times a day. Pramoxine cream or pledgets may be used up to five times a day;the spray or gel may be used 3 or 4 times daily.Pramoxine hemorrhoidal cream, lotion, and foam may be applied after bowel movements as needed or directed. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use pramoxine exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often or for a longer time than described on the package or prescribed by your doctor.
If your symptoms continue for longer than seven days, your condition worsens, or your condition clears up for a few days and then comes back, stop using pramoxine and call your doctor.
Be careful not to get pramoxine into your eyes or nose. If pramoxine gets into your eyes, flush them with water and call your doctor.
You should not apply pramoxine to open wounds, areas of skin that are damaged or blistered, deep wounds, or large areas. Unless directed by your doctor, do not use bandages or wraps after pramoxine is applied.
Do not put moistened medication pads, cream, gel, or foam into your rectum with your fingers or any device.
To use pramoxine cream, gel, or spray, or lotion, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Clean the affected area with mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly.
- Pat affected area dry with a clean, soft cloth or tissue.
- Apply small amount of pramoxine to affected area.
- Wash hands thoroughly.
To use pramoxine pledgets, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Clean affected rectal area with mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly.
- Gently dry by patting or blotting with a clean, soft cloth or tissue.
- Open sealed pouch and remove pledget.
- Apply medication from pledget to affected rectal area by patting. If needed, fold pledget and leave in place for up to 15 minutes.
- Remove pledget, and throw away, out of reach of children.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
To use pramoxine hemorrhoidal foam, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Clean affected area with mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly.
- Gently dry by patting or blotting with a clean, soft cloth or tissue.
- Shake the foam container.
- Squirt a small amount of foam onto a clean tissue and apply to affected rectal area.
- 6. Wash your hands thoroughly.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before using pramoxine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pramoxine, other topical anesthetics, or any other medication.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pramoxine, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Pramoxine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- redness, irritation, swelling, burning, stinging, or pain at affected area
- dryness at affected area
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- bleeding at affected area
- hives
- skin rash
- severe itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness
Pramoxine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep pramoxine aerosol container, spray or lotion away from fire, flame, or extreme heat. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Do not throw pramoxine aerosol containers away in an incinerator. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor any questions you have about pramoxine.
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Last Revised - 01/01/2005