Glycerin Suppositories: How Do They Work?

Glycerin suppositories are commonly used to relieve occasional constipation. Doctors recommend them to relieve this condition because they work quickly and directly.

The active ingredient in glycerin suppositories is glycerol. This is a substance that acts as a laxative when administered rectally. This effect is achieved because the stool softens and produces a mild local irritating effect that stimulates the intestinal peristalsis when administering the suppositories.

How do glycerin suppositories work?

As we mentioned, the effect of glycerin suppositories is due to a twofold effect:

• A local irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the rectum: The irritating effect does not affect the intestinal walls. It causes a contraction of the rectum, which promotes expulsion of feces.

• Osmotic effect: Glycerol absorbs water, which together with the lubricating properties softens the stool and facilitates expulsion.

Glycerin suppositories take effect from 15 minutes to one hour after administration. Furthermore, the body does not absorb glycerol, it is almost completely eliminated with the stool.

Indications

Doctors recommend glycerin suppositories to relieve occasional constipation in adults.

What is constipation?

In general, constipation is when the frequency of bowel movements is reduced. Constipation is a symptom that means that the intestinal transit is reduced for some reason.

Constipation affects more women than men, especially women between the ages of 20 and 35, and after the age of 60.

Depending on how long it lasts, constipation can be classified into two groups:

• Occasional: This may be due to changes in diet or fluid intake, lack of exercise, treatments with certain medications or stressful situations.
• Chronic: For doctors to classify constipation as chronic, it must last for more than 3 months.

Chronic constipation may be related to situations that are similar to occasional constipation, but that last longer. Other times, however, it can be due to digestive problems and certain diseases.

Do glycerin suppositories have any side effects?

If you use glycerin suppositories in large quantities or over long periods of time , they can cause irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, you may sometimes experience symptoms such as itching, burning and irritation of the rectum.

However, the use of glycerin suppositories is contraindicated if you are allergic to glycerol. You should also not use them if you have hemorrhoids, symptoms of intestinal obstruction, appendicitis or other intestinal diseases.

What are the benefits of using them?

There are three main benefits of using glycerin suppositories:

• Effective relief of occasional constipation.
• Speed.
• Local effect.

Generally , the usual dose for adults is one suppository a day, and you should not use them for more than 6 to 7 consecutive days.

Contraindications

Glycerin suppositories have some contraindications. Among them we find the following:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.
• Gastrointestinal disorders: You should not use them if you suffer from intestinal transit disorders, for example if you suffer from intestinal obstruction.
• Abdominal pain of unknown origin: If you experience abdominal pain without a known cause, you should not use these suppositories until you know what is causing the pain. The use of laxatives in these situations may obscure an underlying condition that is still unknown.

In addition, the use of glycerin suppositories is contraindicated when you have a condition that poses a certain danger if intestinal peristalsis is stimulated.

You should only use glycerin suppositories once in a while

Glycerin suppositories allow you to relieve the problem of occasional constipation directly and quickly. Before starting this treatment, however, you should try to relieve the constipation by changing your habits. 

Finally, it is important to know that suppositories do not solve the root cause of constipation. They only relieve the symptoms quickly and temporarily. You should therefore not hesitate to visit your doctor if you regularly suffer from constipation.