Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of the Imescard Compound Water Smartweed Ointment

Phase 3 Clinical Trial - Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of the Drug Imescard Compound Water Smartweed, Adrenalin and Hamamelis Ointment

The aim of our study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the drug Imescard compound water smartweed, adrenalin and hamamelis ointment in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease in adults, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The drug Imescard compound water smartweed ointment is currently registered at the brazilian National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) as a topic hemorrhoidal treatment. It's composed by adrenalin, which produces vasoconstriction, benzocaine, an anesthetic, hamamelis, which is believed to have a desiccative and astringent activity, and water smartweed (Polygonum hydropiperoides), commonly used in the treatment of this condition, with, however, little or no evidence other than tradition to support its use. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of this drug in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease in adults, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Sixty healthy volunteers with ages between 18 to 70 years old who presented with 2nd to 4th degree hemorrhoids were enrolled after clinical and laboratory evaluation (day 0) and then randomized (day 1) to receive either the Imescard ointment after waking up, after evacuations and before bedtime, for 5 days, or placebo, with the exact same appearance and posology. At followup (day 8), patients underwent new clinical and laboratory evaluation. Main outcome was the percentage of patients with 50% improval of symptoms, assessed by a diary containing symptom questionnaires concerning every day of treatment. Secondary outcomes were mean scores of the symptom questionnaires, life quality improval assessed by WHOQOLbrief at days 1 and 8 and adverse effects evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18 and 70 years old
• 2nd to 4th degree hemorrhoids clinically diagnosed
• Proper anticonception, in the case of women in fertile age
• Possibility to abstain from any other drugs (except in emergencies, in wich case the responsible party must be informed)
• Good understanding and agreement to informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug
• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Clinical evidence of immunosupression
• Abnormalities in baseline laboratory exams
• Diagnosis of any acute disease in current activity or chronic disease uncontrolled