Urology Products
Instillagel® Anaesthetic Antiseptic Lubricant
A sterile gel containing a local anaesthetic and antiseptic, presented in a sterile package
Instillagel is a sterile gel containing a local anaesthetic and antiseptic presented in a sterile package. Instillagel is used when putting a tube or instrument into a body cavity. It contains a local anaesthetic to prevent pain and antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection. It also provides lubrication to ease this process.
Active ingredients
Each 100 grams contains:
- Lidocaine Hydrochloride (Local anaesthetic) 2.000g
- Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution (Antiseptic) 0.250g
- Methyl Hydroxybenzoate (E218) (Antiseptic) 0.060g
- Propyl Hydroxybenzoate (E216) (Antiseptic) 0.025g
in a gel made with Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol and Purified Water.
The gel comes in disposable syringes each containing either 6ml or 11ml.
Before Instillagel is used
Tell the person preparing to use the gel if any of the following applies to you:
Do not use Instillagel:
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to lidocaine, chlorhexidine, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydrobenzonate or any of other ingredients of Instillagel
- If the moist lining of the application site is damaged or bleeding
Care should be taken when using Instillagel:
- If you have heart problems
- If you have liver problems
- If you are epileptic
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell the person preparing to use the gel if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. You can continue to breast-feed.
Has the gel any side effects?
You might feel a slight stinging just after the gel is used, but this stops as soon as the anaesthetic starts to work. Most people find that there are no problems after the gel has been used but there may be a slight soreness when the effect of the local anaesthetic has worn off. If you feel that you have had any reaction to the gel, please tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Please ensure to read the full instructions for use before using this product. Instructions for use are provided on the product packaging.
How Instillagel is used
The gel is available in two sizes - 6ml and 11ml. Usually the complete contents of the size suitable for the procedure will be used. The syringe is removed from its sterile package by tearing off the backing paper. Before removing the blue cap from the end of the syringe, free the plunger by gently pressing it. Remove the cap. Insert the nozzle into the opening of the area to be anaesthetised and press the plunger slowly to push out the gel. The anaesthetic takes about 5 minutes to work after the gel has been used.
After using the gel
You may feel drowsy after using InstilIagel, if so do not drive or use machinery. If the gel has been used orally (inserted into your mouth), care should be taken when chewing or swallowing as you may bite yourself without realising.
Storage of the gel
The gel should not be used after the expiry date shown on the package. Instillagel does not require any special storage conditions.
The syringe is for single use only. If the complete contents are not used, the syringe and remaining gel must be thrown away.
As with all medicines, keep Instillagel away from children.
Amazing stuff
I used this when I had a rectal prolapse (prior to pan-proctocolectomy) and it was amazing. I was in agony but this helped ease pain pleerectly in the area affected.
Emma Goodridge-Hobson - September 2018Why Choose Instillagel?
Instillagel is the only anaesthetic antiseptic lubricating gel which is also a licensed medicine.
Instillagel is a tried and trusted medicine that has been available globally for 30 years. There are other catheterisation gels available that contain the same ingredients as Instillagel, however these other gels are all medical devices, not medicines.
Does it matter if I use a medicine or medical device?
Gels classed as medical devices, can be used primarily for their lubricating action. If you are selecting a gel to provide pain relief or local anaesthetic, a medicine should be used.
Using a medicine provides the reassurance of consistent levels of active ingredients in the product.
Instillagel is steam sterilised, whilst other medical device gels which are sterilised by gamma radiation are susceptible to degradation of lidocaine and chlorhexidine, build-up of degradation products and reduced viscosity.2
Why Should I choose a gel containing chlorhexidine?
In 2013/14 alone, the NHS spent £434million on treating 184,000 patients in unplanned admissions due to urinary tract infections (UTI’s).3 As over 75% of UTI’s are associated with a urethral catheter4, the antiseptic properties of chlorhexidine cannot be ignored in regards to reducing the risk of these catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s).
Why Instillagel (licensed medicine) should be your catheterisation gel of choice:
Instillagel is a licensed medicine that you can rely on. You can be confident that Instillagel has undergone rigorous testing to establish its efficacy and safety profile, with assurance that it continues to be monitored.
References
- MHRA (2016) A guide to what is a medicinal product. Available at : https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/751227/012__GN8_-_final_2018_combined_doc_Oct.pdf [Accessed October 2018]
- Nicole Steiner-Reischutz, Michael Pyerin et al, Evaluation the Impact of Sterilization on Gel Formations. Pharmaceutical Technology Volume 42 Apr 02,2018. Available at: www.pharmtech.com/evaluating-impact-sterilization-gel-formulations [Accessed October 2018]
- Medical Technology Group Media,Admissions of failure. The Truth about unplanned NHS Admissions in England 2015. Available at http://www.mtg.org.uk/unplannedadmissions [Accessed October 2018]
- Whittaker S. Risk Factors for healthcare-associated bacteriuria and UTI. Continence UK 2009; 3:7-16
- Siderias J et al. Comparison of topical anaesthetics and lubricants prior to urethral catheterisation in males. A randomized control trial. Acad Emerg Med 2004;11:703-706
- Hofstetter A. Antimicrobial efficacy of Lubricants. Urologe (B) 1987;27:359-360