Introduction to Rectal Suppositories
There are times when a person has a health problem that requires a medicine to be taken by way of the rectum. A rectal suppository is a medicine mixed with a wax-like substance to form a semi-solid, bullet-shaped form that melts after being placed into the rectum. Rectal suppositories are very safe, because they cause little irritation to the walls of the rectum and have few side effects.
What Conditions Might Require a Rectal Suppository?
- A person who is sick to the stomach or too ill to take medicines by mouth
- A person who has an infection or inflammation of the rectum
- A person who needs medicine for constipation, to help them have a bowel movement
- A person who needs medicine for hemorrhoids that are swollen and painful
Giving a rectal suppository is easy, but it must be done correctly. Improper placement often results in the person passing the medicine out of the rectum before it has time to dissolve and take effect. Whenever giving medicine to someone, be sure you know the purpose of the medicine, the correct dose, and the expected effects. For another reference, see our lesson on Giving Medicines Safely.
Here is Michelle’s Story:
My mother gets constipated often. When that happens, the doctor sometimes has her take a suppository to help her pass her stool. Giving someone a suppository is easy to do. Mom cannot give one to herself because of arthritis in her hands. So I have learned how. The most important thing is getting the suppository up, high enough so it stays there. The very first time I gave mother a suppository, it fell out. I think I was afraid I might hurt her if I pushed it in too far. But I soon learned that it needs to be placed high enough to work. Now, I do it all the time without any problems.