Does RectiCare Advanced shrink hemorrhoids?

Yes, RectiCare Advanced contains an ingredient that can help [lessen swelling](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hemorrhoids/what-works-for-hemorrhoids). This can help your hemorrhoids shrink in size. Keep in mind that RectiCare Advanced [won't cure your hemorrhoids](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hemorrhoids/how-to-quickly-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids), but it can help relieve symptoms until they go away on their own. Talk to your primary care provider if your hemorrhoids aren't going away.

How long does it take for RectiCare Advanced to work?

One of the ingredients in RectiCare Advanced is lidocaine, which helps numb the area to relieve pain. Topical lidocaine generally starts to work [within an hour](https://www.goodrx.com/lidocaine-otc/what-is) to provide relief from pain and discomfort. Keep in mind that it can take [days to weeks](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/hemorrhoids/how-long-do-hemorrhoids-last) for your hemorrhoids to go away. Some things you can do to help hemorrhoids get better faster include not straining on the toilet, [eating more fiber](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/fiber-rich-foods-list), and staying well hydrated.

Recticare Advanced

Used for Hemorrhoids

RectiCare Advanced is a cream that's applied on the skin of the rectal area. It helps relieve symptoms of pain, itching, burning, swelling, and irritation due to hemorrhoids and other discomforts surrounding the anus. RectiCare Advanced is a combination product made of four ingredients: lidocaine (a local anesthetic), phenylephrine (a vasoconstrictor), and mineral oil and white petrolatum (protectants). People 12 years and older can use the cream up to 4 times a day. Side effects aren't common when the medication is used as directed.

Reviewed by:

Yen Nguyen, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on July 1, 2024

What is RectiCare Advanced?

What is RectiCare Advanced used for?

Pain, itching, and burning from hemorrhoids
Swelling or discomfort from other anal or rectal problems
Skin irritation and inflammation around the anus

How RectiCare Advanced works

RectiCare Advanced contains four different medications that work together to relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids and other anal or rectal problems.

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. It helps relieve pain by numbing the area.
Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor. It tightens the blood vessels in the hemorrhoid and the surrounding area. This lessens swelling.
Mineral oil and white petrolatum are lubricants that form a layer on the skin to provide moisture and protect it from irritation.

Are you looking for information on topical lidocaine instead?

Drug facts

Common BrandsRecticare Advanced Hemorrhoidal Cream

Drug ClassTopical skin product

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available

AvailabilityOver-the-counter

Side effects of RectiCare Advanced

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

See Risks and Warnings.

Source: DailyMed

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Avg retail price

$30.61(Save 3.63%)

GoodRx discount

$29.50

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Pros and cons of RectiCare Advanced

Pros

Four medications to help with hemorrhoids and related discomfort in one cream
Available for purchase over the counter
Can help shrink swollen hemorrhoid tissue

Cons

Provides only temporary relief of irritated skin on the outside of the rectum and anus
Application can be messy
No lower-cost generic; only available as brand-name medication

Pharmacist tips for RectiCare Advanced

If you're able to clean your rectal area, use mild soap and warm water to wash the affected area and rinse thoroughly. Pat the area dry with toilet paper or a soft cloth before you apply RectiCare Advanced.
If you're using a finger cot, roll one finger cot over your finger. Then, squeeze the RectiCare Advanced cream onto the finger cot and apply it over the affected area.
Only apply RectiCare Advanced to the surface of your skin around the rectum and anus. Don't place any RectiCare Advanced hemorrhoid cream into the rectum with your fingers or with some other applicator.
Wash your hands after you use RectiCare Advanced to prevent getting it into your eye. If the hemorrhoid cream accidentally gets into your eye, flush your eye right away with plenty of water for 15 minutes. Get medical help right away if you continue to experience irritation or stinging in the eye.
Stop using RectiCare Advanced and ask your primary care provider if you experience any bleeding or signs of an allergic reaction.
Stop using RectiCare Advanced and talk to your primary care provider if your symptoms get worse or don't improve within 7 days. You might need a different treatment.

Common questions about Recticare Advanced

Yes, Recticare Advanced contains an ingredient that can help lessen swelling. This can help your hemorrhoids shrink in size. Keep in mind that Recticare Advanced won't cure your hemorrhoids, but it can help relieve symptoms until they go away on their own. Talk to your primary care provider if your hemorrhoids aren't going away.

One of the ingredients in Recticare Advanced is lidocaine, which helps numb the area to relieve pain. Topical lidocaine generally starts to work within an hour to provide relief from pain and discomfort. Keep in mind that it can take days to weeks for your hemorrhoids to go away. Some things you can do to help hemorrhoids get better faster include not straining on the toilet, eating more fiber, and staying well hydrated.

You might feel some burning when you apply Recticare Advanced onto the skin since the tissue around hemorrhoids can be very sensitive. But the numbing ingredient in Recticare Advanced should numb the area quickly so that you no longer feel pain or burning.

Yes, Recticare Advanced is available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist if you need help finding Recticare Advanced or other similar hemorrhoid treatment options.

No. Only use Recticare Advanced externally (on the outside of your body). You shouldn't apply the medication inside of your rectum or anus without speaking with a healthcare professional first. There are other hemorrhoid medications that can be used inside of the anus. Discuss which treatment is best for your hemorrhoids with your primary care provider. They can give guidance on how to safely use hemorrhoid medications.

Not usually. Anal fissures are small tears that are typically located inside of the anus. And Recticare Advanced should only be applied externally in this area (on the outside of the body). Talk to your primary care provider about whether Recticare Advanced is appropriate for you to use for symptom relief if you have an anal fissure.

Recticare Advanced and Preparation H are both over-the-counter hemorrhoid medications. Preparation H is a line of branded hemorrhoid products. Some Preparation H products contain similar ingredients to those in Recticare Advanced. But other Preparation H products contain ingredients that are completely different. In addition, Preparation H products come in different dosage forms (e.g., suppository, gel, cream), but Recticare Advanced is only available as a cream. Talk to a healthcare professional about which hemorrhoid product is best to relieve your symptoms.

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Risks and warnings for RectiCare Advanced

RectiCare Advanced can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Possible worsening of certain health conditions

Talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist before you start using RectiCare Advanced if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, diabetes, or difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate. RectiCare Advanced contains phenylephrine, which works by narrowing the blood vessels. When blood vessels tighten, there's less blood flow through them. This can potentially worsen certain health problems.

Interactions with certain medications

RectiCare Advanced contains phenylephrine, a medication that can potentially raise blood pressure. Talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist before you start using RectiCare Advanced if you're currently taking medications for high blood pressure. Also tell your primary care provider or pharmacist if you're taking any medications for depression. It's possible for these medications to interact with RectiCare Advanced and have an effect on your blood pressure.

Depending on your medical condition and medications, your primary care provider or pharmacist can determine whether RectiCare Advanced is safe for you to use. They can also recommend a different medication for your hemorrhoid or rectal problems that won't interfere with your current medications.

RectiCare Advanced dosage

The average cost for 1 tube of 30g of 5%/0.25% of RectiCare Advanced is $29.50 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 3.63% off the average retail price of $30.61.

Tube of cream

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
30g of 5%/0.25%	1 tube	$29.50	$29.50

Typical dosage for RectiCare Advanced

Adults and children 12 years and older: Apply onto the surface of the skin of the affected area(s) up to 4 times daily.
Children 11 years and younger: Ask a healthcare professional or your child's pediatrician.

How much does RectiCare Advanced cost?

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Recticare Advanced (brand)

GoodRx lowest price

$29.50

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What are alternatives to RectiCare Advanced?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of RectiCare Advanced. Compare a few possible alternatives below.

RectiCare Advanced

Used for:

Pain, itching, and burning from hemorrhoids
Swelling or discomfort from other anal or rectal problems
Skin irritation and inflammation around the anus

$29.50Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Hydrocortisone (Anusol-HC)

Used for:

Anal itching - cream
Hemorrhoids - suppository
Proctitis (swelling and redness inside the rectum) - suppository
Chronic ulcerative colitis, as an add-on treatment - suppository
Cryptitis (swelling and redness in the in the guts) - suppository

$9.34Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Lidocaine / hydrocortisone

Used for:

Relieving itching, pain, soreness, and swelling due to:

Hemorrhoids
Anal fissure (tear in the skin of the anus)
Anal itching

$24.19Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

References

Best studies we found

American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Protecting your eyes at work.

Ferndale Laboratories, Inc. (2021). Recticare Advanced- lidocaine and mineral oil and phenylephrine hcl and white petrolatum cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

Lohsiriwat, V. (2012). Hemorrhoids: From basic pathophysiology to clinical management. World Journal of Gastroenterology.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Common questions about Recticare Advanced

Yes, Recticare Advanced is available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist if you need help finding Recticare Advanced or other similar hemorrhoid treatment options.

Recticare Advanced