Posterisan Forte Ointment 2.5/166.7mg Ointment

This ointment combines two ingredients that are applied to the skin around and just inside the anus:

• Standardised bacterial culture suspension (made from inactivated E. coli bacteria) supports the body's natural defence response in the skin, which helps reduce itching and burning.
• Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid that further calms itching and inflammation.

It is used for particularly severe itching and inflammation of the anal area caused by piles (haemorrhoids), anal fissures or tears, and eczema.

Use it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

• Apply a thin layer twice a day, morning and evening, after a bowel movement, and rub it gently into the affected skin.
• To treat inside the back passage, screw on the applicator supplied, insert it gently and squeeze the tube. Clean the applicator after each use.
• Use it only until the acute symptoms settle, and not for more than 10 days in a row.
• The ointment can mark underwear, so you may want to use a pad.
• If you miss a dose, do not use a double amount.
• Keep the area clean: wash gently with lukewarm water after each bowel movement and pat dry. Eat plenty of fibre and drink enough fluids to keep stools soft.

Common side effects include local itching or burning where it is applied.

Less often, an allergic skin rash (contact dermatitis) can occur, for example from the preservative phenol. Using large amounts for a long time can thin the skin, cause small visible blood vessels, stretch marks or steroid acne.

See a doctor if:

• you get a rash, swelling or worsening irritation
• you have blood in your stools, or symptoms that are frequent or long-lasting, as these can be signs of a more serious condition

Do not use it if you:

• are allergic to any of the ingredients
• have certain skin infections in the area (such as tuberculosis, syphilis or gonorrhoea), chickenpox, a vaccine reaction, rosacea or a rash around the mouth

Do not use it in children under 12.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:

• have a fungal infection (you will also need an antifungal treatment)
• take steroid tablets, drops or injections
• are pregnant, may be pregnant or are breastfeeding

Store below 25°C, out of the sight and reach of children. Use within 6 months of opening.

Condoms: the white soft paraffin in the ointment can weaken latex condoms and make them less reliable.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: use in pregnancy only if clearly needed. Avoid breastfeeding during continuous or high-dose use of hydrocortisone.

Skin reactions: it contains lanolin, which can cause local skin reactions.

This ointment eases symptoms but does not remove enlarged piles.