Patient Information on Pramoxine

Pramoxine is a prescription medication marked under more than a dozen different brand names. It is a type of medication referred to as a topical analgesic. It is most often prescribed to help alleviate pain and itching associated with a variety conditions and causes.

This medication is prescribed to help alleviate the itching and pain from rashes, insect bites, minor skin irritation, poison ivy, burns, poison oak, scrapes, minor cuts, or poison sumac. This medication can be used to treat itchy, dry skin. It can also be prescribed to patients with hemorrhoids, and minor rectal irritations, to alleviate their symptoms such as, itching, soreness, pain, and burning. This topical analgesic alleviates these symptoms by preventing the nerves from sending pain signals.

This medication comes in several different forms such as medicated wipes, liquid, cream, lotion, and foam. In most cases, this medication is applied several times per day to the affected area. However, the patient should still follow their doctors exact administration instructions.

Patients should discuss all of the other topical products they are using with their physician prior to starting this medication.

Pramoxine can cause side effects. The common side effects often go away as the patient's skin becomes used to the medication, but if the side effects worsen or persist they should contact their physician. The common side effects include dryness at the area in which the medication is being applied. Other common side effects include redness, pain, irritation, stinging, burning, and sweliing at the site in which the medication is applied. Serious side effects are uncommon, but if they do occur patients should seek medical attention immediately. The serious side effects include bleeding at the site in which the medication is applied, hoarseness, hives, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, severe itching, skin rash, and swelling of the lower legs, face, ankles, throat, feet, tongue, eyes, hands, or lips.

Certain medications may interact with this medications. Patients should tell their doctor about all non-prescription medications, prescription medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements and vitamins they are taking prior to starting this medication.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women may not be able to use this medication. Patients who are allergic to other medications, particularly topical anesthetics or pramoxine, should tell their doctor prior to starting this medication.

MedLine Plus. (2009). Pramoxine. Retrieved on October 23, 2009 from Website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682429.html