Hemorrhoidal Ointment (Phenylephrine HCl 0.25%)
Preparation H and its twins. Protectant / Vasoconstrictor. Active ingredients: Mineral oil 14% + Petrolatum 74.9% + Phenylephrine HCl 0.25%.
16 options at Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Target. Cheapest: $3.42 per oz; typical Preparation H: $8.59 per oz. Prices are estimates from Oct 2026.
Cheapest options
- Equate Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Walmart, 57 g, $6.97 ($3.42 per oz)
- Amazon Basic Care Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Amazon, 57 g, $6.99 ($3.43 per oz)
- Kroger Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Kroger, 57 g, $7.99 ($3.92 per oz)
- Walgreens Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Walgreens, 57 g, $11.29 ($5.55 per oz)
- CVS Health Hemorrhoidal Ointment — CVS, 57 g, $11.49 ($5.64 per oz)
- Preparation H Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Walmart, 57 g, $12.97 ($6.37 per oz)
- Preparation H Hemorrhoidal Ointment — Amazon, 57 g, $13.49 ($6.63 per oz)
- CVS Health Hemorrhoidal Ointment — CVS, 28 g, $7.49 ($7.49 per oz)
Where to find it
Look for the “Digestive Health” aisle sign.
Good to know
- Preparation H is a brand on several formulas: this ointment, a Maximum Strength cream that adds pramoxine (a numbing agent), Rapid Relief products with lidocaine, a cooling gel with witch hazel, and suppositories with cocoa butter.
- The FDA's November 2024 proposal to remove oral phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant covers only medicines taken by mouth; in this ointment phenylephrine is applied where it's needed — externally or inside the rectum — to shrink swollen tissue, not swallowed.