pramoxine (topical)

Use this medication as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects.

Pramoxine is a topical (applied to the skin) anesthetic. It works by interfering with pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain.

Pramoxine topical is used to treat pain or itching caused by insect bites, minor burns or scrapes, hemorrhoids, and minor skin rash, dryness, or itching. Pramoxine topical is also used to treat chapped lips, and pain or skin irritation caused by coming into contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac.

Pramoxine topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pramoxine.

Before using pramoxine topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or any other anesthetics or "numbing medicines."

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether pramoxine topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Pramoxine is usually applied to the affected area 3 to 5 times daily, depending on which form of this medication you use. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much medication to use and how often.

Pramoxine hemorrhoid cream, lotion, foam, or medicated wipe may be used on the rectum after each bowel movement to treat hemorrhoid pain and itching.

Wash your hands before and after applying pramoxine topical. Wash the affected skin area with warm water and a mild soap. Rinse and dry the area thoroughly.

To use pramoxine on the skin, (spray, lotion, gel, or stick), apply just enough of the medication to cover the area to be treated.

To use the pramoxine medicated wipe to treat the hemorrhoid area, apply the medication by patting the wipe onto the rectal area. Avoid harsh rubbing. You may fold the wipe and leave it in place for up to 15 minutes. Each pramoxine medicated wipe is for one use only. Throw the wipe away after using.

Shake the pramoxine rectal foam before each use. Squirt only a small amount of the medicine onto a clean tissue and apply it to your rectum.

Do not insert this medication or the medicated wipe into your rectum. Use pramoxine topical only on the outside of the area.

Stop using pramoxine and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 day of treatment, or if your condition clears up and then comes back.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Since pramoxine topical is used as needed, it is not likely that you will be on a dosing schedule. Using extra pramoxine to make up a missed dose will not make the medication more effective.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.

An overdose of pramoxine applied to the skin or rectum is unlikely to occur.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes or your nose. If it does get into these areas, rinse with water right away. Do not use pramoxine topical on deep skin wounds, blistered skin, severe burns, or large skin areas. Seek medical attention for more severe skin irritation or injury.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• any new redness or swelling where the medicine was applied; or
• severe pain, burning, or stinging where the medicine is applied.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects.

Avoid applying other skin medications on the same treatment area with pramoxine, unless your doctor has told you to.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied pramoxine. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pramoxine topical.