A Study to Evaluate Topical Phenylephrine Gel in the Management of Faecal Incontinence

Inclusion Criteria: * Incontinence of solid or liquid stool/mucus following ileo-anal pouch construction, at least once per week over the last month * At least six months must have elapsed since IPAA surgery or six months since closure of a loop ileostomy created during IPAA surgery, whichever is the later * Aged 18 years or over * If female, the subject must not be lactating and must be (a) post-menopausal, (b) surgically sterilised, or (c) have a negative pregnancy test result prior to entry into the study and will use adequate contraception for the duration of the study (sterilization of partner, abstinence, an intra-uterine device (IUD), double barrier method or oral hormonal contraception). * Written informed consent to participate has been provided NB: Seepage, leakage, soiling of faecal material is regarded as incontinence. Exclusion Criteria: * A history of surgery to the anal sphincter complex * Active pouchitis (determined by clinical examination and macroscopic inflammation on endoscopy. Patients on maintenance antibiotics need not be excluded but their antibiotic dose should remain the same throughout the study) * Undergone pelvic radiotherapy at any time * Cardiac or cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease, history of stroke, cerebral arteriosclerosis, aneurysm, tachycardia or hypertension * Hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus * Crohn's disease (indeterminate colitis is not an exclusion criterion) * The use of α- or β-adrenoceptor agonists (other than inhaled β-adrenoceptor agonists) or antagonists, other sympathomimetics or any cardiovascular drugs during the study (including eyedrops, nasal drops and OTC cold cures containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine) * The use of mono-amine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants in the 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study medication or during the study * Any mental or other impairment which, in the investigator's opinion, would render them unlikely to be able to comply with the requirements of the study * Considered by their physician unlikely to be able to comply with the protocol * Participation in a clinical trial within the past three months * Known hypersensitivity to phenylephrine or excipients * History of drug or alcohol abuse