phenol at a glance
Medicine class
Analgesic sclerosing agent
Licensed use
Internal haemorrhoids
Administration
Submucosal injection by a trained healthcare professional
Important ingredient
Contains almond oil; nut and almond allergies must be checked
What is phenol used for?
The selected product is licensed as an analgesic sclerosing agent for internal haemorrhoids.
Treatment of internal haemorrhoids by injection into tissue at their base.
How does phenol work?
Phenol causes controlled scarring beneath the haemorrhoid lining. This fixes the lining to underlying muscle, reduces blood flow in the haemorrhoid and helps it shrink.
phenol preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 5% w/v
How to take phenol
This injection is not self-administered. A trained clinician injects it beneath the lining at the base of an internal haemorrhoid.
Tell the clinician about phenol, nut, almond-oil or other allergies.
Mild discomfort, slight bleeding or light-headedness can occur afterwards. Remain seated until steady and follow the treatment centre’s driving advice.
phenol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reported effects, with frequency not stated, include local pain, discomfort or irritation.
- Mild rectal bleeding or light-headedness may occur shortly after the procedure.
- Fever or dizziness may occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction.
- Ulceration, tissue damage or tissue death at the injection site.
- Abscess, including a prostatic abscess causing pelvic pain or urinary symptoms.
- Serious spreading infection, including necrotising fasciitis or retroperitoneal sepsis.
- Hepatitis, which may cause yellow skin or eyes, loss of appetite and feeling unwell.
phenol in pregnancy
Safety during pregnancy has not been established and effects on the fetus are unknown. The selected product is not recommended during pregnancy. Discuss possible pregnancy with the treating clinician before the procedure.
phenol while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether phenol passes into breast milk, and safety in breastfed infants has not been established. The selected product is not recommended while breastfeeding; discuss alternatives with the prescriber.
phenol interactions
No interactions with other medicines are stated in the selected SmPC. Give the procedural team a complete medicines and allergy history.
Common questions about phenol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is phenol injection used for?
The selected oily phenol injection is licensed as an analgesic sclerosing treatment for internal haemorrhoids.
Does phenol injection treat external piles?
The selected product’s licensed indication is internal haemorrhoids; it is not licensed specifically for external piles.
How is phenol given for haemorrhoids?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.