Preparation H
Encyclopedia
Preparation H is a brand of medications, manufactured by Pfizer
, used in the treatment of hemorrhoid
s.
Preparation H dates from about 1935. It was originally packaged in a tube like toothpaste
, with a similar consistency. The company most recently named Wyeth
was incorporated in 1926 as American Home Products, or AHP, and "one of AHP's earliest prizes was the acquisition of a sunburn oil in 1935 that the company transformed into Preparation H, which became one of the world's best-selling hemorrhoid treatments." AHP changed its name to Wyeth in 2002. Wyeth was acquired by Pfizer in 2009.
-based. The product is also available in suppository form and as medicated wipes. The formulations range from simple moisturizer
s with witch-hazel
astringent to preparations containing pharmacological ingredients such as phenylephrine
, pramoxine, and hydrocortisone. Some also contain inactive ingredients such as aloe vera
, shark liver oil
, and yeast extract
. Formulations available vary with country.
Today, the active ingredient in some Preparation H products is phenylephrine
in a 0.25% concentration, a drug that constricts blood vessels. This drug is more commonly used as a decongestant in cold medications, since restricting blood flow in the sinuses will reduce the amount of mucus they create. Because hemorrhoids are caused by inflamed blood vessels, restricting their blood flow can reduce their size. Preparation H with hydrocortisone has only hydrocortisone as its active ingredient, in a 1% concentration. A witch hazel
medicated wipe is also available under the Preparation H brand.
The Canadian
formulation of Preparation H includes a yeast extract
called BioDyne, which has been removed from the formulation previously sold in the United States
in 1995. This yeast extract is believed by Pfizer to remove wrinkles from skin and heal dry, cracked, and irritated skin. The Canadian formulation has acquired a market in the United States as a skin cream. The manufacturer of this active ingredient has subsequently marketed it to the cosmetic industry as an anti-wrinkle active.
In the 1960s, Preparation H used the slogan "Effective even in cases of long standing". The current tag line, "I Should Have Used Preparation H," is a registered trademark.
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
, used in the treatment of hemorrhoid
Hemorrhoid
Hemorrhoids or haemorrhoids , are vascular structures in the anal canal which help with stool control. They become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed. In their physiological state they act as a cushion composed of arterio-venous channels and connective tissue that aid the passage of...
s.
Preparation H dates from about 1935. It was originally packaged in a tube like toothpaste
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush as an accessory to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing...
, with a similar consistency. The company most recently named Wyeth
Wyeth
Wyeth, formerly one of the companies owned by American Home Products Corporation , was a pharmaceutical company. The company was based in Madison, New Jersey, USA...
was incorporated in 1926 as American Home Products, or AHP, and "one of AHP's earliest prizes was the acquisition of a sunburn oil in 1935 that the company transformed into Preparation H, which became one of the world's best-selling hemorrhoid treatments." AHP changed its name to Wyeth in 2002. Wyeth was acquired by Pfizer in 2009.
Formulations
Preparation H products come in a variety of formulations. Some are water-based gel; some are petroleum jellyPetroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum or soft paraffin, CAS number 8009-03-8, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons , originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties...
-based. The product is also available in suppository form and as medicated wipes. The formulations range from simple moisturizer
Moisturizer
Moisturizers or emollients are complex mixtures of chemical agents specially designed to make the external layers of the skin softer and more pliable, by increasing its hydration by reducing evaporation. Naturally occurring skin lipids and sterols as well as artificial or natural oils,...
s with witch-hazel
Witch Hazel (astringent)
Witch hazel is an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch-hazel shrub , which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, and south to Florida and Texas in the United States...
astringent to preparations containing pharmacological ingredients such as phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
, pramoxine, and hydrocortisone. Some also contain inactive ingredients such as aloe vera
Aloe vera
Aloe vera, pronounced , also known as the true aloe or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe that is believed to have originated in the Sudan. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India, Nepal and other arid areas.The species is...
, shark liver oil
Shark liver oil
Shark liver oil is obtained from sharks that are caught for food purposes and are living in cold, deep oceans. The liver oil from sharks has been used by fishermen for centuries as a folk remedy for general health...
, and yeast extract
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is the common name for various forms of processed yeast products made by extracting the cell contents ; they are used as food additives or flavourings, or as nutrients for bacterial culture media. They are often used to create savory flavors and umami taste sensations. Monosodium...
. Formulations available vary with country.
Today, the active ingredient in some Preparation H products is phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
in a 0.25% concentration, a drug that constricts blood vessels. This drug is more commonly used as a decongestant in cold medications, since restricting blood flow in the sinuses will reduce the amount of mucus they create. Because hemorrhoids are caused by inflamed blood vessels, restricting their blood flow can reduce their size. Preparation H with hydrocortisone has only hydrocortisone as its active ingredient, in a 1% concentration. A witch hazel
Witch Hazel (astringent)
Witch hazel is an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch-hazel shrub , which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada, and south to Florida and Texas in the United States...
medicated wipe is also available under the Preparation H brand.
The Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
formulation of Preparation H includes a yeast extract
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is the common name for various forms of processed yeast products made by extracting the cell contents ; they are used as food additives or flavourings, or as nutrients for bacterial culture media. They are often used to create savory flavors and umami taste sensations. Monosodium...
called BioDyne, which has been removed from the formulation previously sold in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1995. This yeast extract is believed by Pfizer to remove wrinkles from skin and heal dry, cracked, and irritated skin. The Canadian formulation has acquired a market in the United States as a skin cream. The manufacturer of this active ingredient has subsequently marketed it to the cosmetic industry as an anti-wrinkle active.
In the 1960s, Preparation H used the slogan "Effective even in cases of long standing". The current tag line, "I Should Have Used Preparation H," is a registered trademark.