Comprehensive medication guide to Anusol HC including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic hydrocortisone acetate rectal on most commercial plans; typically Tier 1–2 with no prior authorization required. Brand-name Anusol HC may be on a higher tier or require step therapy.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$33–$80 retail for generic suppositories (12 count); as low as $12–$18 for generic 2.5% cream (30g) with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand-name Anusol HC can cost significantly more at full retail.
Medfinder Findability Score
80/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Anusol HC is the brand name for hydrocortisone acetate rectal, a prescription topical corticosteroid distributed by Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC. It is used to reduce inflammation in and around the rectum and anus.
Anusol HC is available as a 25 mg rectal suppository (prescription only), a 2.5% rectal cream (prescription only), and a 1% cream available over the counter. It is NOT a controlled substance, meaning no DEA scheduling restrictions apply.
Anusol HC is prescribed for inflamed hemorrhoids, pruritus ani (anal itching), proctitis, factitial (post-irradiation) proctitis, cryptitis, and as an adjunct therapy for ulcerative colitis involving the rectum. Generic equivalents include Anucort-HC, Proctocort, Proctosol-HC, and Proctozone HC.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Anusol HC belongs to the drug class of topical corticosteroids. When applied to the rectal mucosa or perianal area, hydrocortisone acetate binds to glucocorticoid receptors inside cells, suppressing the production of inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins, cytokines, and leukotrienes that cause redness, itching, swelling, and pain.
Hydrocortisone also causes vasoconstriction — narrowing of small blood vessels in the treatment area — which directly reduces swelling and redness. Additionally, it inhibits immune cell activity (mast cells, lymphocytes) that contribute to inflammation, making it especially useful for immune-mediated rectal conditions like proctitis.
About 26% of hydrocortisone acetate is absorbed through the rectal mucosa, which is higher than typical skin application. This means prolonged use can cause systemic side effects. For this reason, Anusol HC is typically prescribed for short courses of 2 weeks (or up to 6-8 weeks for factitial proctitis).
25 mg — rectal suppository
Prescription only. 12 or 24 count boxes. Standard dose: 1 suppository twice daily for 2 weeks.
2.5% — rectal cream
Prescription only. Applied 3-4 times daily to affected area. Can be used internally with applicator or externally.
1% — topical/rectal cream
Available OTC. Applied 2-4 times daily for mild external symptoms. Lower potency than prescription formulations.
As of 2026, Anusol HC is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. However, patients frequently report difficulty finding the brand-name version (Salix), particularly the 25 mg suppositories, at major chain pharmacies. The generic cream formulation (hydrocortisone acetate 2.5%) is the most widely available form and can be found at most major pharmacies.
Generic suppositories (Anucort-HC, Proctocort) are generally more available than brand-name Anusol HC, as they are produced by multiple manufacturers. If your pharmacy doesn't have brand Anusol HC, asking about a generic substitute is usually the fastest solution.
If you're having trouble locating Anusol HC at your pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to check availability and text you results — saving you hours of phone tag.
Because Anusol HC is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. No DEA registration or special scheduling requirements apply.
Providers who commonly prescribe Anusol HC include:
Anusol HC can be prescribed via telehealth. Since it is not a controlled substance, all standard telehealth prescribing restrictions do not apply. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell can evaluate rectal and hemorrhoid symptoms and issue Anusol HC prescriptions electronically.
No. Anusol HC (hydrocortisone acetate) is NOT a controlled substance. It has no DEA scheduling. This means it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and telehealth providers — without any of the special requirements that apply to controlled medications.
There are no restrictions on the number of refills, no requirement for paper prescriptions, and no state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) reporting requirements. Anusol HC can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically to any pharmacy. It can also be prescribed via telehealth without any controlled substance restrictions.
Common local side effects (usually mild and temporary):
Serious side effects (less common — contact your doctor immediately):
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Anucort-HC
Generic hydrocortisone acetate 25 mg suppository — direct therapeutic equivalent to Anusol HC suppositories. Made by Cosette Pharmaceuticals. Often more available and less expensive.
Proctosol-HC
Generic hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% rectal cream. Same active ingredient as Anusol HC cream. Good pharmacy availability.
Proctozone HC
Generic hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% rectal cream. Available as low as $18.99 with GoodRx. Same indications as Anusol HC.
Analpram HC / Pramosone
Combination of hydrocortisone 1-2.5% plus pramoxine 1% (local anesthetic). Adds numbing effect for patients with significant pain alongside inflammation.
Proctofoam HC
Foam formulation of hydrocortisone 1% and pramoxine 1%. Aerosol application. Note: Proctofoam HC itself has availability challenges in 2026.
Prefer Anusol HC? We can find it.
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, intranasal flu)
majorContraindicated during corticosteroid use — may impair immune response needed for vaccine efficacy.
Amphotericin B
majorConcurrent use has been associated with cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure.
Systemic corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)
moderateAdditive HPA axis suppression risk when combined with other corticosteroids.
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir)
moderateMay increase systemic hydrocortisone exposure by slowing liver metabolism.
Diabetes medications (insulin, metformin)
moderateCorticosteroids may elevate blood glucose; diabetic patients should monitor blood sugar more closely.
Warfarin
minorCorticosteroids may alter anticoagulant response; INR monitoring recommended.
Anusol HC (hydrocortisone acetate rectal) is a well-established, effective treatment for hemorrhoids, proctitis, anal itching, and related anorectal inflammatory conditions. It is not a controlled substance, widely available in generic form, and generally affordable when using discount cards or insurance.
While there is no active FDA shortage, individual pharmacies may not stock brand-name Anusol HC. Generic equivalents (Anucort-HC, Proctocort, Proctosol-HC, Proctozone HC) are therapeutically identical and often more widely available and less expensive. Patients should not hesitate to ask their pharmacist about generic substitution.
If you're struggling to find Anusol HC at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication, dosage, and location, and medfinder will contact pharmacies near you to find which ones have it in stock — then text you the results. No more holding on the phone or driving to pharmacies that don't have it.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini