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Recticare Advanced

Used for Hemorrhoids
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:
reviewer
Yen Nguyen, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 1, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

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
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Avg retail price
$41.69(save 35.09%)
GoodRx discount
$27.06
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What are the 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

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of RectiCare Advanced

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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

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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

Pharmacist tips for RectiCare Advanced

pharmacist

  • 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.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about RectiCare Advanced

              Does RectiCare Advanced shrink hemorrhoids?
              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.
              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 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.
              Does RectiCare Advanced burn?
              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.
              Is RectiCare Advanced over the counter?
              Yes, RectiCare Advanced is available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist if you need help finding RectiCare Advanced or other similar hemorrhoid treatment options.
              Can RectiCare Advanced be used internally?
              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.
              Does RectiCare Advanced work for fissures?
              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.
              What's the difference between RectiCare Advanced and Preparation H?
              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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              What are the 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.

              risk-warning

              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.

              risk-warning

              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.

              dosage

              RectiCare Advanced dosage forms

              The average cost for 1 tube of 30g of 5%/0.25% of RectiCare Advanced is $27.06 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 35.09% off the average retail price of $41.69.
              tube of cream
              Tube of cream
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              30g of 5%/0.25%1 tube$27.06$27.06

              Typical dosing 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.

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              How much does RectiCare Advanced cost?

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              Recticare Advanced (brand)
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              alternatives

              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

              $27.06 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Hydrocortisone (Anusol-HC)
              Used for:
              $20.26 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Lidocaine / hydrocortisone
              Used for:
              $15.27 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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              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.
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