Preparation H
Preparation H is a brand of medications made by Pfizer, used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are caused at least in part by inflamed blood vessels, and most versions of Preparation H work by reducing inflammation in blood vessels.
The company that makes this product incorporated in 1926 as American Home Products (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."[1] AHP changed its name to Wyeth in 2002, and was then bought by Pfizer in 2009, which was reported to have paid $68 billion.[2]
Formulations
Several formulations have been produced.[3] For example, some are in a water-based gel, while some are petroleum jelly-based, and the suppositories use a base of cocoa butter. It can come as a suppository, or as a medicated wipe. The active ingredients range from simple moisturizers with witch-hazel astringent to preparations containing drugs such as phenylephrine, pramoxine, and hydrocortisone. Formulations available vary from one country to another.
Some Preparation H products have phenylephrine, a drug that constricts blood vessels, as an active ingredient, in a 0.25% concentration, as well as shark liver oil.[4] Phenylephrine is more commonly used as a decongestant in cold medications, since restricting blood flow in the sinuses will reduce the amount of mucus and/or liquid flow they create in runny noses. Because hemorrhoids are caused by inflamed blood vessels, restricting the blood flow may well reduce the size of the swelling, and reduce the pain or discomfort the person feels. Another version of Preparation H has hydrocortisone as its only active ingredient, in a 1% concentration. Again, hydrocortisone reliably reduces inflammation and swelling. 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 was removed in 1995 from the formulation sold in the United States. This yeast extract, which was the primary ingredient of the original formulation by inventor George Sperti,[5][6] 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 with an anti-wrinkle active ingredient.
In Greece, the active ingredients of Preparation H are 1% w/w yeast extract and 3% w/w shark liver oil.[7]
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.
Abuses
There are reports of young men using Preparation H with phenylephrine HCL before bodybuilding events or even before going into a nightclub, for spot treatment to enhance surface muscle definition. However, the ingredient would actually make one's muscles look smaller, as it constricts nearby blood vessels that feed blood and fluid to the area of use.[8]
References
- ↑ Funding Universe, Wyeth: Company History
- ↑ Sorkin, Andrew Ross and Wilson, Duff. (January 25, 2009). "Pfizer Agrees to Pay $68 Billion for Rival Drug Maker Wyeth" The New York Times
- ↑ "Preparation H Products". Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. 2006. Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ↑ "Preparation H Ointment label". Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. 2006. Archived from the original on 30 November 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ↑ Rieselman, Deborah. "Secrets of Sperti Ointment revealed: The Whole Story". University of Cincinnati Magazine.
- ↑ Narvaez, Alfonso A. (May 1, 1991). "George Speri Sperti Is Dead at 91; Invented Several Patent Medicines". The New York Times.
- ↑ Preparation H (Greek)
- ↑ Cox, Lauren. (June 2, 2008). "Preparation H Finds Place in Club Circuit" ABC News