How do you use a suppository?

Suppositories are solid medications that enter the body through the rectum, vagina, or urethra. Rectal suppositories are the most common type of suppository.

Doctors recommend the different forms of suppositories for different medical conditions and purposes. People place some in the rectum and others in the vagina. Less commonly, a person will need to use urethral suppositories.

We give step-by-step guidance on how to use suppositories in this article.

We also provide some helpful troubleshooting tips and advice for people who need to use this type of medication.

Uses of suppositories

Suppositories are another way to deliver drugs to the body when other routes, such as oral, cannot be used.

A suppository is small and may be round, oval, or cone-shaped. A substance, such as cocoa butter or gelatin, surrounds the medication. The suppository dissolves to release the drug once inside the body.

Suppositories may treat the local area, or the medicine may travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.

Why use suppositories?

Suppositories deliver many types of medication, and a person may need to use them if they:

• are having seizures and cannot take medicines by mouth
• are unable to swallow medication for any reason
• are vomiting and cannot keep pills or liquids down
• have a blockage that stops the medication moving through the digestive system.

People may also take suppositories if the medication:

• tastes too bad to take by mouth
• would break down too quickly in the gut
• could be destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract.

Research also suggests that taking medications through the rectum allows for a relatively constant environment for a drug to be delivered. The rate of absorption may, however, be lower than that of drugs taken by mouth.

Types of suppositories and their uses

There are three types of suppositories:

1. Rectal suppositories

Rectal suppositories go in the rectum or anus. They are typically an inch long and have a rounded tip.

They treat conditions, such as:

• constipation
• fever
• hemorrhoids
• mental health issues such as anxiety, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder
• nausea, including motion sickness
• pain.

2. Vaginal suppositories

People may insert vaginal suppositories into the vagina to treat:

• bacterial or fungal infections
• vaginal dryness

Vaginal suppositories are typically oval and come with an applicator.

3. Urethral suppositories

Men may use a type of urethral suppository to treat erection problems in rare cases.

These suppositories are the size of a grain of rice and deliver a drug called alprostadil.

How to insert a rectal suppository

Anyone using a rectal suppository may want to refer to the following steps for guidance:

1. Get prepared

• Try to pass stool to empty the colon, as suppository medication is most effective when the bowel is empty.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use a hand sanitizer. Dry the hands thoroughly on a clean towel or paper towel.
• Carefully remove the suppository from its wrapper.
• If it is necessary to cut the suppository, use a clean, single-edge razor blade to slice it lengthwise.
• Use a disposable glove, if desired.

2. Get ready to insert the suppository

• Dip the tip of the suppository in water, or apply a small amount of water-based lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly that is available to buy online. A lubricant helps the suppository more easily slide into the rectum.
• Remove clothing from the lower half of the body.
• Find the correct position. Either stand up with one foot on a chair or lie down on one side with the top leg bent slightly toward the stomach. Caregivers giving the suppository to another person often find it easier if the person is lying down.

3. Insert the suppository

• Relax the muscles of the buttocks and open the cheeks.
• Gently insert the suppository into the anus, narrow end first.
• Push it in about 1 inch for adults, or half an inch for infants. In older children, push the suppository in approximately half to one inch, depending on their size.

4. Relax and clean up

• Sit or lie still for 10 minutes after inserting the suppository. Staying still allows time for the suppository to dissolve in the body. Parents may need to hold a child’s buttocks closed during this time.
• Dispose of all materials, including the suppository wrapper and any tissue paper.
• Wash the hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Try to avoid passing stool for up to 60 minutes after inserting the suppository, unless it is a laxative. Not passing stool gives the medication enough time to enter the bloodstream and start working.

How to insert a vaginal suppository

To place a suppository into the vagina, follow these tips:

1. Get prepared

• Wash hands with soap and warm water, or use a hand sanitizer if these are not available. Dry the hands well on a clean towel or paper towel.
• Unwrap the suppository, and place it in the accompanying applicator.
• Either stand with the knees bent and feet apart or lie down with the knees bent toward the chest.

2. Insert the suppository

• Stretch out the penis to open the urethra.
• Place the applicator into the hole at the tip.
• Push the button on the applicator and hold for 5 seconds.
• Gently move the applicator from side to side to ensure the suppository has entered the urethra.
• Remove the applicator.

3. Relax and clean up

• Massage the stretched penis firmly for 10 to 15 seconds to allow the medicine to be absorbed.
• Dispose of the applicator and any other materials.
• Wash the hands once more with soap and warm water.

Risks and side effects

Suppositories are usually safe to use. Sometimes, some of the medication may leak out. To avoid a mess, people may want to wear a sanitary towel or incontinence pad.

Some people may experience irritation around the area where they inserted the suppository. If this is severe or persists, they should see a doctor.

Occasionally, the body may not absorb the medication delivered by a suppository as well as it does oral medications.

Tips and troubleshooting

The following tips may help people who need to use suppositories:

• Avoid exercise or vigorous movement for 60 minutes after inserting the medication.
• Do not use petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to lubricate the suppository. This stops it from melting. Only use water, or a water-based lubricant.
• Store suppositories in the refrigerator or another cool place, so they do not melt. Always follow the storage directions on the label.
• A soft suppository can be difficult to insert. Gently squeeze it to see if it is firm enough. If not, harden the wrapped suppository by holding it under a flow of cold water. Or, place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
• Trim fingernails before inserting suppositories. This prevents cuts and scrapes. Alternatively, wear a latex glove.
• Some people may notice the suppository falls out. This can occur because they have not pushed it far enough into the rectum. Push the medication in about 1 inch.
• Those who struggle to use suppositories should consider asking a partner or caregiver for help.
• As with other medicines, avoid missing doses. Missed doses may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

Takeaway

Suppositories are helpful for people who cannot take medications by mouth.

People who have difficulty using suppositories should ask their doctor for advice. They should also talk to their doctor before using suppositories if they:

• have had recent rectal surgery, prostate surgery, or vaginal treatment
• have an irregular heartbeat.

Although they may be unpleasant to use, rectal, vaginal, and urethral suppositories can be an effective way of delivering medication.

Source: Medical News Today

About STELLAPHARM

Stellapharm is one of leading generics pharmaceutical companies and strong producer of anti-viral drugs in Vietnam. The company established in Vietnam in 2000; and focuses on both prescription drugs and non-prescription especially in cardiovascular diseases, antiviral drugs, anti-diabetics drugs, etc. and our products are now used by millions of patients in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The company is globally recognized for its quality through our facilities have been audited and approved by stringent authority like EMA, PMDA, Taiwan GMP, local WHO and others.

Additional information for this article: Stellapharm J.V. Co., Ltd. – Branch 1
A: 40 Tu Do Avenue, Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park, An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
T: +84 274 376 7470 | F: +84 274 376 7469 | E: info@stellapharm.com | W: www.stellapharm.com