Name of medicine
Glycerin (glycerol) suppositories for constipation.
This product is used to relieve occasional constipation. Glycerin belongs to a class of drugs known as hyperosmotic laxatives. It works by drawing water into the intestines. This effect usually results in a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes.For adults, the normal frequency of bowel movements varies from once daily to 1 to 2 times weekly. For preschool-aged children, the normal frequency of bowel movements varies from once daily to once every other day. Constipation is best treated by drinking plenty of fluids, eating foods high in fiber, and exercising regularly.
How to use Adult Glycerin Suppositories
This product is for rectal use only. Read and follow all directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
Wash your hands before and after using this product. If the medication is wrapped in foil, remove the foil wrapper. If desired, the suppository may be moistened with lukewarm water. Do not use petroleum jelly or mineral oil. Doing so may cause the product to be less effective.
Lie on your left side with the right knee slightly bent. Using your finger, gently insert the suppository well up into the rectum, pointed end first. After insertion, stay in position for 15 to 20 minutes if possible until you feel a strong urge to have a bowel movement. This product does not need to melt completely to produce an effect. If you are helping a child use this product, have the child lie on their side with the lower leg straightened out and the upper leg bent toward the stomach. Using your finger, gently insert the suppository into the rectum, pointed end first. Hold the buttocks together for a few seconds. Then, have your child stay lying down for 15 to 20 minutes if possible to keep the suppository from coming out.
Do not use this product more than once daily unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
If this product is used too frequently, it may cause loss of normal bowel function and an inability to have a bowel movement without using the product (laxative dependence). If you notice symptoms of overuse, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased weight, or weakness, contact your doctor promptly.
Consult your doctor promptly if you do not have a bowel movement after using this product or if you think you may have a serious medical problem.
Why is it important for my child to take Glycerin suppositories?
When a child is constipated, their stools (poo) are hard and painful to pass. Sometimes a child may try to hold the stool in because of previous pain when going to the toilet. Constipation can also make a child feel quite poorly.
Glycerin suppositories are used to stimulate emptying of the bowels and provide rapid relief from constipation.
When should I give Glycerin suppositories
Your doctor will tell you when to use the Glycerin suppositories.
How much should I give?
Glycerin suppositories are available in 1 g, 2g and 4 g sizes.
How should I give Glycerin suppositories?
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water.
- Your child should lie on their side or front with, if possible, their knees drawn up towards their chest.
- Hold one buttock gently to one side so that you can see the back passage.
- Unwrap the suppository and hold it with the rounded end close to the back passage.
- Use one finger to push the suppository gently into the back passage. It needs to go in by about 2 cm.
- Wash your hands again with soap and hot water.
- To help make insertion more comfortable you can put a small amount of lubricant (such as K-Y jelly) on the rounded end of the suppository, or moisten it with a little water.
- Lower their legs to a comfortable position to help hold the suppository in place. Your child should stay lying on their side for about 15 minutes to allow the suppository to spread further inside the bowel and to make sure it doesn’t come out.
- If your child feels that the suppository must come out immediately, it may not have been inserted far enough.
When should the medicine start working?
Glycerin suppositories usually work after about 15 minutes. If your child does not empty their bowels (do a poo), do not insert another suppository. Contact your doctor for advice, in case this is because of a problem other than constipation.
What if my child is sick (vomits)?
You do not need to worry if your child is sick, as the medicine will still work.
What if I give too much?
If you think you may have given your child too much Glycerin suppositories, contact your doctor or local NHS services (details at end of leaflet). Have the medicine or packaging with you if you telephone for advice.
Are there any possible side effects?
Glycerin suppositories may cause:
- stomach cramps
- irritation around the back passage.
Can other medicines be given at the same time as Glycerin suppositories?
- You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have used, or are using, any other medicines to treat your child’s constipation.
Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?
- Glycerin suppositories are known as stimulant laxatives. They should only be used to provide rapid relief from temporary constipation. They should not be used to treat chronic (long-term) constipation (unless recommended by your doctor).
- Before giving glycerin suppositories, always increase the amount of high-fibre foods that your child eats and encourage them to drink plenty of water, or use an ‘osmotic laxative’. This is another type of laxative that works by softening the stools.
- You can help your child’s constipation by giving them high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, bran and high-fibre cereals. Also encourage them to drink plenty of water, which will help to soften the stools. Encourage your child to be active as this will also help their constipation. Your pharmacist, doctor or health visitor will be able to give you advice and support.
- If you think someone else may have used the glycerin suppositories by accident, particularly if they have other health problems, contact your doctor for advice, although they are unlikely to be harmed.
General advice about medicines
- Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
- Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.
Where should I keep this medicine?
- Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight.
- It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
- Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
- Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
How Chronic Constipation Affects Your Body
When you’re constipated, your body isn’t able to get rid of waste like it needs to. Having it every once in a while is common, but if you’re dealing with symptoms for more than 3 months, your constipation is chronic. And that raises your chance of having complications. The problems most often happen in the places where stool leaves your body.
Hemorrhoids
When you’re constipated, you’re more likely to push hard to try to go. That can make the veins around your rectum and anus swell. These swollen veins are called hemorrhoids. They’re like varicose veins around your anus. They can be external, which means they’re under the skin around the anus, or internal, which means they’re in the lining of your anus or rectum.
Hemorrhoids can itch and be painful. They can cause bleeding when you have a bowel movement. You may see streaks of blood on your toilet paper when you wipe. Sometimes blood can pool inside a hemorrhoid, which can cause a painful, hard lump. You may also get skin tags, blood clots, or infections from your hemorrhoids.
Anal Fissures
Passing hard stools or straining to pass stools can tear the tissue around your anus. These tears are anal fissures. They cause itching, pain, and bleeding. Because the symptoms of anal fissures make going to the bathroom more difficult, they can make constipation worse. This happens often in children who hold in their stool out of fear of the pain.
The tears are usually very small. But sometimes they can grow larger and affect the ring of muscle at the opening of your anus that keeps it closed. This kind of anal fissure is harder to heal. You may need medication or surgery to fix the problem. Once you’ve had an anal fissure, you’re more likely to get another one.
Impaction
When you can’t get stool out of your body, it can start to stick together in your intestines. The hardened mass gets stuck and causes a blockage. The squeezing your colon normally uses to push stool out of your body can’t move it because it’s too large and hard.
It can cause pain and vomiting. You may even have to go to the emergency room for treatment. Children and older adults are more likely to have fecal impaction.
Rectal Prolapse
Your rectum, the final part of your large intestine, ends at your anus. When you’re constantly straining to pass stools, it can stretch and slip outside your body. Sometimes just part of the rectum comes out, but sometimes the whole thing does.
It can be painful and may cause bleeding. It can sometimes be hard to tell if you have rectal prolapse or hemorrhoids, since both cause bulging out of the anus, but they’re two different conditions that need to be treated differently.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad belly pain.
- Bleeding from rectum or rectal pain.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Upset stomach.
- Stomach cramps.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
- Burning.
- Rectal irritation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor.
Sources:
https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk/medicines/glycerin-glycerol-suppositories-for-constipation/
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-56185/adult-suppositories-rectal/details
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/chronic-constipation-affects-body
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/fleet-glycerin-suppositories-adult-side-effects.html
#glycerin suppositories #children #pain #hemorrhoids #medicine #constipation
Prepared by Viktorija Stučytė based on online sources
