Your medicine choices - suppositories
Medication can be formulated in many different ways:
*pill
*capsule
*liquid
*sublingual
*drops
*spray
*lozenge
*sucker
*suppository
*cream
*gel
*inhalent
This post is going to talk frankly about suppositories and compounded suppositories.
What is a suppository? A rectal suppository (or 'rectal rocket' some have dubbed them) is a special pill that is placed in the rectum to be absorbed instead of swallowed. Suppositories are also made for vaginal use where they are also very effective, but this post discusses the rectal version. Suppositories are much more readily used and available in Europe as Americans tend to have trouble getting past the "yuck" factor.
Why use a suppository? A suppository bypasses the stomach and allows the medicine to be absorbed very quickly. They are often used when the patient is very young, vomiting, has gastric stasis (stomach won't empty properly) or other upper GI problems. They are absorbed fast, so if speed is important and a needle is not wanted, this is often a very good way to get medicine into a patient's system.
What does a suppository look like? Suppositories usually come shaped similar to a bullet - rounded on one end, and flat on the other. They are wrapped individually in stiff plastic called 'shells'. They may be large, or small. It may often be white or yellowish in color, depending on the medicine it is carrying and the substance used to hold it together.
How does it work? The lining of the intestines, bowel and rectum are rich in blood vessels and capillaries. It is very permeable - nutrients, water, and even medicine can pass easily thru it and into your blood. When a suppository is placed in contact with this tissue, it quickly melts and the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
How soon will the medicine begin to work? Medicine carried in a suppository is usually absorbed very quickly and begins to be absorbed within a couple of minutes. Try not to lose the suppository for at least 2 hours after placement, to assure that the full dose of medicine was absorbed.
How do I use it? Placing a suppository is very simple. Your doctor will give you instructions, but you may want to use this post as a reminder once you get home. The supplies you need include:
*Finger cots or surgical glove (be aware of latex allergies)
*water or water-based lubricant such as K-Y jelly
*suppository/medicine that is only slightly cool, not warmed
Put on gloves or cots. Remove the medicine from the plastic wrapper by peeling the sides apart. Place a quarter-sized dot of lubricant on the medicine, or wet the suppository with water. Hold the medicine by placing the flat end against the tip of the 2nd or 3rd finger of your dominant hand.
For children: Lay the child or infant horizontally across your lap, stomach down and bent at the waist with legs hanging vertically. Place the rounded end against the rectum and ask the child to gently push (or hold their breath and blow their cheeks out) as you follow the direction of the spine and slowly place the medicine 1-2 inches inside the rectum as directed. Ask them to stop pushing before removing your hand. Once removed, you may want to hold your hand there a few minutes. As the medicine warms, it is less uncomfortable and the natural urge to push it out passes. Distraction by asking them to sing their favorite song sometimes helps as well. When the urge to push passes, it's usually safe to let them up.
For adults: Sitting, laying down, or even standing is not difficult. Bending at the waist is helpful. Place the rounded end against the rectum, and very gently push as the medicine is placed about 2 inches into the rectum where absorption is easiest. Remember to relax as soon as it's placed, and resist the urge to push it out. When it warms in a few moments, the urge will usually disappear. Laying down may be helpful.
Remember to remove the glove or cots properly and dispose of it/them carefully, especially if a communicable disease is an issue, then wash your hands liberally with soap.
General information:
Medicines that are available commercially have limited formulations. The pharmaceutical company makes what it feels will be the most useful and profitable in terms of dosage and formulation. Some patients require more customized dosing or formulations and find a Compounding Pharmacy helpful to them.
Migraineurs and other patients who suffer vomiting and gastric stasis (stomach no longer empties properly - a normal part of a Migraine attack) often find that oral formulations of their medicines are not working for them. Medicines must be digested and released in the proper part of the digestive system to help you. If they are vomited out of the system, they will not work. No matter how powerful the prescription, if the stomach doesn't empty the medicine into the intestine where it needs to be for proper absorption, it will not work. Finding another way to get the medicine into your body is important if you are going to have results. Suppositories are often a very good way of delivering medicine and by-passing the stomach. Despite the "yuck" factor of its delivery, A suppository is often much more welcome than, and only a fraction of the cost of an injection at a doctor's office or hospital setting.
Physicians who are not used to working with compounding pharmacies may not think about formulation options for their patients. It is sometimes up to us as patients to remind them of these options and request them if we think they may be helpful. Opening up a dialog with your doctor about these options may yield you benefits you never thought possible!
For more information on Migraine medicines:
Migraine Prescription
Migraine Treatment
Migraine Medication
Migraine Pain Relief
For information, news and support:
Parenting and Children's Health group
Chronic Pain group
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Migraine group
*pill
*capsule
*liquid
*sublingual
*drops
*spray
*lozenge
*sucker
*suppository
*cream
*gel
*inhalent
This post is going to talk frankly about suppositories and compounded suppositories.
What is a suppository? A rectal suppository (or 'rectal rocket' some have dubbed them) is a special pill that is placed in the rectum to be absorbed instead of swallowed. Suppositories are also made for vaginal use where they are also very effective, but this post discusses the rectal version. Suppositories are much more readily used and available in Europe as Americans tend to have trouble getting past the "yuck" factor.
Why use a suppository? A suppository bypasses the stomach and allows the medicine to be absorbed very quickly. They are often used when the patient is very young, vomiting, has gastric stasis (stomach won't empty properly) or other upper GI problems. They are absorbed fast, so if speed is important and a needle is not wanted, this is often a very good way to get medicine into a patient's system.
What does a suppository look like? Suppositories usually come shaped similar to a bullet - rounded on one end, and flat on the other. They are wrapped individually in stiff plastic called 'shells'. They may be large, or small. It may often be white or yellowish in color, depending on the medicine it is carrying and the substance used to hold it together.
How does it work? The lining of the intestines, bowel and rectum are rich in blood vessels and capillaries. It is very permeable - nutrients, water, and even medicine can pass easily thru it and into your blood. When a suppository is placed in contact with this tissue, it quickly melts and the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
How soon will the medicine begin to work? Medicine carried in a suppository is usually absorbed very quickly and begins to be absorbed within a couple of minutes. Try not to lose the suppository for at least 2 hours after placement, to assure that the full dose of medicine was absorbed.
How do I use it? Placing a suppository is very simple. Your doctor will give you instructions, but you may want to use this post as a reminder once you get home. The supplies you need include:
*Finger cots or surgical glove (be aware of latex allergies)
*water or water-based lubricant such as K-Y jelly
*suppository/medicine that is only slightly cool, not warmed
Put on gloves or cots. Remove the medicine from the plastic wrapper by peeling the sides apart. Place a quarter-sized dot of lubricant on the medicine, or wet the suppository with water. Hold the medicine by placing the flat end against the tip of the 2nd or 3rd finger of your dominant hand.
For children: Lay the child or infant horizontally across your lap, stomach down and bent at the waist with legs hanging vertically. Place the rounded end against the rectum and ask the child to gently push (or hold their breath and blow their cheeks out) as you follow the direction of the spine and slowly place the medicine 1-2 inches inside the rectum as directed. Ask them to stop pushing before removing your hand. Once removed, you may want to hold your hand there a few minutes. As the medicine warms, it is less uncomfortable and the natural urge to push it out passes. Distraction by asking them to sing their favorite song sometimes helps as well. When the urge to push passes, it's usually safe to let them up.
For adults: Sitting, laying down, or even standing is not difficult. Bending at the waist is helpful. Place the rounded end against the rectum, and very gently push as the medicine is placed about 2 inches into the rectum where absorption is easiest. Remember to relax as soon as it's placed, and resist the urge to push it out. When it warms in a few moments, the urge will usually disappear. Laying down may be helpful.
Remember to remove the glove or cots properly and dispose of it/them carefully, especially if a communicable disease is an issue, then wash your hands liberally with soap.
General information:
Medicines that are available commercially have limited formulations. The pharmaceutical company makes what it feels will be the most useful and profitable in terms of dosage and formulation. Some patients require more customized dosing or formulations and find a Compounding Pharmacy helpful to them.
Migraineurs and other patients who suffer vomiting and gastric stasis (stomach no longer empties properly - a normal part of a Migraine attack) often find that oral formulations of their medicines are not working for them. Medicines must be digested and released in the proper part of the digestive system to help you. If they are vomited out of the system, they will not work. No matter how powerful the prescription, if the stomach doesn't empty the medicine into the intestine where it needs to be for proper absorption, it will not work. Finding another way to get the medicine into your body is important if you are going to have results. Suppositories are often a very good way of delivering medicine and by-passing the stomach. Despite the "yuck" factor of its delivery, A suppository is often much more welcome than, and only a fraction of the cost of an injection at a doctor's office or hospital setting.
Physicians who are not used to working with compounding pharmacies may not think about formulation options for their patients. It is sometimes up to us as patients to remind them of these options and request them if we think they may be helpful. Opening up a dialog with your doctor about these options may yield you benefits you never thought possible!
For more information on Migraine medicines:
Migraine Prescription
Migraine Treatment
Migraine Medication
Migraine Pain Relief
For information, news and support:
Parenting and Children's Health group
Chronic Pain group
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Migraine group
Tags: compounding, drugs, how to, medication, suppository, treatment
Add a Comment
© 2009 Created by Marie
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join this social network