{{Short description|Medication for treating hemorrhoids}} {{Infobox brand|logo=File:Preparation_H_Logo.webp|name=Preparation H}}
'''Preparation H''' is an American brand of medications that is 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."<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Wyeth-Company-History.html Funding Universe], Wyeth: Company History<!-- Bot generated title --></ref> AHP changed its name to Wyeth in 2002, and was then bought by Pfizer in 2009, which was reported to have paid $68 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross |author-link1=Andrew Ross Sorkin |last2=Wilson |first2=Duff |author-link2=Duff Wilson |name-list-style=and |date=2009-01-26 |title=Pfizer Agrees to Pay $68 Billion for Rival Drug Maker Wyeth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/business/26drug.html |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==Formulations== Several formulations have been produced.<ref>{{cite web |date=2006 |title=Preparation H Products |url=https://awdnews.com/preparation-h/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213204504/http://www.preparationh.com/hemorrhoid_medications/index.asp |archive-date=13 December 2006 |access-date=9 February 2016 |publisher=Wyeth Consumer Healthcare}}</ref> Some are in a water-based gel while others are petroleum jelly-based, and the suppositories use a base of cocoa butter. It also comes as a medicated wipe. The active ingredients range from simple caffeine moisturizers with witch-hazel astringent to preparations containing drugs such as phenylephrine, pramoxine, and hydrocortisone. Formulations vary from one country to another. Some Preparation H products have phenylephrine, a drug that constricts blood vessels, in a 0.25% concentration, as well as shark liver oil.<ref>{{cite web |date=2006 |title=Preparation H Ointment label |url=http://www.preparationh.com/hemorrhoid_medications/ointment/ointment_package_label.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130045625/http://www.preparationh.com/hemorrhoid_medications/ointment/ointment_package_label.asp |archive-date=30 November 2006 |access-date=9 February 2016 |publisher=Wyeth Consumer Healthcare}}</ref> Another version of Preparation H has hydrocortisone as its only active ingredient in a 1% concentration.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
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 was the primary ingredient of the original formulation by inventor George Sperti,<ref>{{cite web |last=Rieselman| first=Deborah| title=Secrets of Sperti Ointment revealed: The Whole Story |url=http://magazine.uc.edu/famousalumni/inventors/sperti.html |work=University of Cincinnati Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Narvaez |first=Alfonso A. |date=1 May 1991 |title=George Speri Sperti Is Dead at 91; Invented Several Patent Medicines |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/01/obituaries/george-speri-sperti-is-dead-at-91-invented-several-patent-medicines.html |access-date=20 April 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> and Pfizer believes that it removes wrinkles from skin and heals dry, cracked, and irritated skin. In Greece, the active ingredients of Preparation H are 1% w/w yeast extract and 3% w/w shark liver oil.<ref>[http://www.galinos.gr/web/drugs/main/drugs/preparation Preparation H (Greek)]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.preparationh.com/}}
Category:American inventions Category:Drugs developed by Pfizer Category:Products introduced in 1935 Category:Ointments Category:Rectum