Suppositories

What are suppositories?

Suppositories are medications that you insert inside your body. They’re small, thin and typically round, oval or cone-like in shape. A suppository is generally made of a gelatin or cocoa butter shell that contains medication inside. Once it’s inside your body, the outer shell is melted by your body heat, releasing the medicine. The medication works by going into your bloodstream or directly treating the area where you place it. Suppositories don’t always work more quickly than oral medications.

Why would I need a suppository?

Some reasons you may need a suppository are:

• You can’t swallow medication for any reason (i.e. vomiting, bad tasting, health condition, etc.)
• The medication works better as a suppository than swallowing it as a pill or liquid
• Oral medications can’t reach your intestines or stomach due to a blockage or other factors

Adults, children and infants can use suppositories.

What are the types of suppositories?

Suppositories go inside your:

• Rectum (you place it into your butthole)
• Vagina (you place it into your vagina like a tampon)
• Urethra (you place it into the hole you pee out of)

They work differently depending on the type of suppository you need and why you need it. Sometimes, suppositories treat the part of your body you put them in. For example, a suppository in your rectum can help with hemorrhoids.

Other times, the medication is absorbed into your blood, so it affects larger areas of your body. An example of this would be taking acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) as a suppository to help with a fever.

Rectal suppositories

Some common uses for a rectal suppository are:

• Constipation. A laxative in suppository form can relieve constipation.
• Hemorrhoids. Suppositories help relieve the pain and discomfort from internal hemorrhoids.
• Ulcerative colitis. Suppositories can help calm down the inflammation and pain from the condition.
• Fever and pain. Suppositories can be especially helpful for infants who can’t swallow liquid acetaminophen. Adults can take pain relievers in this way, too.
• Nausea/vomiting. A rectal suppository can help with nausea and vomiting in people who can’t swallow medication.

Vaginal suppositories

Common uses for a vaginal suppository are:

• Bacterial or fungal infections. You can treat yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis with suppository medications.
• Birth control. Spermicides come in suppositories that you can place in your vagina to prevent pregnancy.
• Hormonal imbalances. Estrogen or progesterone suppositories can treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance due to menopause or other health conditions.

Urethral suppositories

Urethral suppositories mainly treat erectile dysfunction (alprostadil).

How do you use suppositories?

You use suppositories by inserting them into an opening in your body. In some cases, you can apply a water-based lubricant to the suppository so it slides in more easily.

Using rectal suppositories

The steps for using rectal suppositories are:

1. Empty your bowels (poop) if possible before inserting the suppository.
2. Make sure your hands are clean before opening the package. Avoid excess handling to avoid melting the suppository outside your body. Some suppositories need to be refrigerated and should be brought to room temperature before use.
3. Get in a comfortable position that allows you to reach your rectum. Try laying down with one or both of your legs tucked into your chest or sitting down and leaning slightly forward.
4. Spread your butt cheeks open with one hand to locate your rectum.
5. Press the suppository up into your butthole (with the narrow end going in first). The suppository should be at least one-half inch in for children or 1 inch in for adults.
6. Try to stay still for at least a few minutes so it can melt/dissolve. If possible, avoid pooping for at least one hour.
7. Wash your hands again.

All suppositories are different, so be sure to follow the instructions from your provider or on the packaging.

Using vaginal suppositories

The steps for using vaginal suppositories are:

1. Open the suppository packaging using clean, dry hands.
2. Vaginal suppositories often come with an applicator, like a tampon. You may need to insert the medication into the applicator.
3. Stand or lay in a comfortable position so you can access your vagina. This could involve placing one leg up on a chair, squatting down so that your knees are spread apart and bent, or laying down with one knee to your chest.
4. Press the applicator so the suppository gets inside your vagina. Remove the applicator.
5. Stay still for a few minutes so the medication can melt/dissolve.
6. If the applicator is reusable, clean it as directed by the package instructions. If it isn’t reusable, throw it away in the trash.
7. Wash your hands.

Since all suppositories are different, follow the directions on the packaging or from your provider. If you’re worried about leaking medicine into your underwear, you can wear a pad to catch it.

Using urethral suppositories

The steps for using a urethral suppository are:

1. Make sure your bladder is empty (go pee).
2. Wash your hands.
3. Remove the applicator. The thinner end of the applicator is the end that you place inside your urethra.
4. Pull your penis to fully open your urethra.
5. Place the end of the applicator inside.
6. Push up on the applicator to release the medication. You should stay in this position for several seconds to make sure the medicine gets inside.
7. Pull the applicator out and check to make sure the medicine is gone. Rub your penis for several seconds to help with absorption.

It’s always best to read the directions on the packaging before inserting a suppository. Your healthcare provider can also answer any questions you have beforehand.

What are the side effects of suppositories?

Suppositories are safe to use, but like all medications, there can be risks or side effects. Some of those are:

• It falls out or leaks out before it absorbs
• It doesn’t work and you need to take a different medication
• You have irritation in the area where you put it in

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about taking a medication. Share your medical history with your provider as they could determine that a suppository isn’t safe for you. Having had recent surgery on your rectum or vagina is an example of a reason a suppository may not work.