Suppositories

The primary advantage of suppositories is that they allow for the direct delivery of medication to the site of action, bypassing the digestive system and avoiding the potential for degradation or inactivation of the drug by stomach acids or liver enzymes. This makes them particularly useful for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or who have gastrointestinal issues that might interfere with the absorption of oral medications.

Rectal suppositories are the most common type and are typically used to treat conditions such as constipation, hemorrhoids, or anal fissures. They can also be used to deliver medications for pain relief, inflammation, or infection. Vaginal suppositories, on the other hand, are often used to treat yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or to provide hormone replacement therapy. Urethral suppositories are less common but can be used to treat conditions such as urinary tract infections or erectile dysfunction.

The process of inserting a suppository can be a bit daunting for some, but it is actually quite straightforward. For rectal suppositories, the patient should lie on their side with their knees drawn up towards their chest, and gently insert the suppository into the rectum using their index finger. For vaginal suppositories, the patient should lie on their back with their knees bent and feet flat on the bed, and insert the suppository into the vagina using their index or middle finger.