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Rectiv
Rectiv is a prescription medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain caused by chronic anal fissures. It comes in the form of an ointment that is applied twice daily for up to three weeks. In the United States, this product is currently the only nitroglycerin ointment approved for this use. Although most people tolerate it well, side effects are possible and may include headaches and dizziness.
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Rectiv™ (nitroglycerin anal ointment) is a prescription ointment approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain caused by chronic anal fissures. It is the first (and currently only) nitroglycerin ointment approved for this use in the United States.
(Click Rectiv Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Rectiv is made by PHARBIL Waltrop GmbH for ProStrakan, Inc.
Rectiv works to treat anal fissures by causing the muscle in the anus to relax, and also by dilating the blood vessels in the area, causing improved blood flow.
Some general considerations to keep in mind during treatment with Rectiv include the following:
- The ointment is usually applied twice daily, with 12 hours between applications, for up to three weeks.
- Usually, one inch of the ointment is first applied to the finger (which has been covered with a glove, finger cot, or plastic wrap). Then the ointment is gently applied inside the anus by inserting the finger no further than the first finger joint. If this is too painful, simply start by applying it to the outside of the anus.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be used as prescribed.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD