An unbalanced diet and constant sedentary work, hemorrhoids and a long course of antibacterial agents lead to constipation and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In infants, constipation quite often occurs due to incompletely formed intestines. Anti-constipation medications based on glycerin are characterized by a high level of efficiency and rapid action , which can be prescribed to both adults and children, following all the doctor’s recommendations.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Glycerol ( glycerol ) is an osmotically active substance that increases excessive hydrostatic pressure. In medical practice, such properties of this compound are used to facilitate the transition of fluid from the extravascular bed to the blood .
When used parenterally and orally at a dosage of 1-2 grams per kilogram of body weight, glycerol, due to its dehydrating effect (increasing plasma osmolarity), helps reduce intracranial and intraocular pressure. In these cases, how quickly glycerin acts and how long it takes to act in adult patients depends on the direction of its use. Maximum effectiveness when using the drug to reduce intracranial pressure is observed within 1-1.5 hours after its use. The onset of action to reduce intraocular pressure is observed after 10 minutes, maximum effectiveness develops after 1-1.5 hours, duration of action is about 5 hours.
Glycerol is used for dehydration therapy, indicated for cerebral edema , which occurred due to various reasons (including cases of acute poisoning), on the eve of or after ophthalmic surgery (to reduce intraocular pressure), as well as to relieve negative symptoms of an acute attack of glaucoma .
As an external remedy, glycerin is useful for its dermatoprotective and softening qualities, as well as pronounced lubricating and hygroscopic properties. When applied to the skin, metabolic processes are activated in it, and a protective film is formed on its surface.
In pharmaceutical practice, glycerol is often used to make an emollient ointment or cream for hands and/or feet. Quite popular in cosmetology are an anti-wrinkle face mask and a hair mask, as well as glycerin soap and glycerin oil with the addition of vitamins and other useful ingredients. However, you should avoid frequent use of glycerin oil and glycerin soap, the benefits and harms of which, especially for people with oily skin, may not be as expected (excessive skin whitening and acne ).
Glycerin rectal suppositories are a laxative remedy designed to soften previously hardened fecal matter, which leads to easier passage through the lumen of the colon. Also, this local drug is characterized by an irritant effect on the intestinal mucosa and reflex stimulation of the motility of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
When used rectally, glycerol undergoes fairly rapid resorption in the intestinal mucous membranes. How long it takes for glycerin suppositories to take effect depends on the individual characteristics of the human body; on average, the laxative effect develops within 15-30 minutes. The main biotransformation of the active ingredient occurs in the liver. Excretion is carried out by the kidneys (7-14% of glycerol is excreted in unchanged form).
Can it be used for a long time?
Such drugs with a local laxative effect significantly alleviate the patient’s condition, causing almost immediate bowel movement. However, with regular use, the risk of addiction and decreased effectiveness of the product cannot be ruled out. That is why therapy with glycerin suppositories cannot be considered as the main solution to the problem of constipation. First of all, it is necessary to find and eliminate the true cause of such conditions, normalize nutrition and eliminate the possibility of stool retention due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Indications for use
As a therapeutic agent, the drug is indicated for use in cases of difficult bowel movements or its complete absence, in other words, these suppositories are prescribed to patients suffering from constipation of various origins (functional, age-related, psychogenic, etc.), including similar negative phenomena in nursing mothers and pregnant women .
As a prophylactic agent, the drug is used to prevent constipation in patients for whom physical stress is contraindicated, including that which occurs during the act of defecation: anorectal abscess , thrombosed painful hemorrhoids , anorectal stenosis, a history of anal fissures myocardial infarction and other similar painful condition.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
The drug is sold in pharmacy chains in the over-the-counter drug departments. Despite this, you should consult your doctor before you start using it.
It must be remembered that treatment of constipation should be aimed at eliminating the cause that led to its occurrence. Patients should:
- follow a diet;
- to live an active lifestyle;
- take medications that regulate intestinal motor function as prescribed by your doctor.
The use of any laxatives, including suppositories with glycerin, is allowed in short courses and only in consultation with a doctor.
Contraindications
The use of Glycerin suppositories is prohibited when:
- pain in the abdomen of an uncertain nature;
- individual hypersensitivity ;
- tumor formations of the rectum;
- renal failure;
- inflammatory pathologies of the rectum ( proctitis , paraproctitis );
- appendicitis;
- intestinal bleeding ;
- presence of anal fissures ;
- manifestations of diarrhea ;
- exacerbation of hemorrhoids .
What is constipation and its features
Constipation (medical definition - constipation or obstipation) is an abnormal phenomenon in which a person has no bowel movements for a day or more , or the process of bowel movement is carried out, but there is a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. How and why does constipation occur?
It should be noted that the normal number of bowel movements is 3 times a day to three times every 7 days. If constipation occurs, this indicator decreases significantly; the person cannot go to the toilet for several days. In this case, the stool becomes hard and dry, and you have to strain when trying to defecate.
Many factors contribute to the occurrence of constipation:
- Gastrointestinal diseases.
- Stomach ulcer.
- Chronic colitis.
- Haemorrhoids.
- Anal fissures.
- Low intestinal motility.
- Thyroid disease.
- Taking certain medications.
- Pregnancy and postpartum period.
- Poor nutrition.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Insufficient amount of fluid consumed.
Due to untimely bowel movements, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Headache.
- Painful discomfort in the abdomen.
- Excessive gas production.
- Bad dream.
- Irritability.
- Bad mood.
- Depression.
In addition, if there is blood in the stool during constipation, this is a reason to urgently consult a doctor. Thus, the presence of scarlet blood may indicate the presence of hemorrhoids; if the blood is dark in color, then the development of a tumor is possible.
In any case, if constipation begins to appear frequently, you should consult a specialist to rule out the presence of serious pathologies. The doctor will prescribe the best medication for your case, for example, glycerin suppositories.
Glycerin suppositories, instructions for use
Suppositories with glycerin are intended exclusively for rectal administration, which is best administered 15-20 minutes after a meal (usually breakfast).
Instructions for the use of glycerin suppositories for children over 7 years of age and adult patients involve the use of a dosage of 2.11 grams (1 adult suppository), administered once every 24 hours.
Instructions for use for newborns recommend using children's glycerin suppositories in a dose of 1.24 grams, with a single daily administration of ½ suppository for children under 3 years of age and a whole suppository for children 3-7 years of age.
Instructions for use during pregnancy correspond to the recommendations given for adult patients. Suppositories can be administered to pregnant women only after a comprehensive examination by a gynecologist and with his consent.
How long it takes for a glycerin suppository to take effect in an adult and a child depends on the dose and the individual response of the patient’s body to the effects of glycerol . As a rule, no more than 30 minutes pass from the moment the suppository is introduced until the act of defecation.
If absolutely necessary, adult and pediatric doses can be doubled.
Method of using rectal suppositories
- Before using glycerin suppositories, you must thoroughly wash your hands with soap, after which, in order to cool, it is advisable to hold them for some time under cold water. Since the base of rectal suppositories quickly melts upon contact with warm hands, in addition to cooling the hands, it is also recommended to cool the suppository itself by placing it in the refrigerator for a few minutes before using it or also holding it under cold water (do not remove the primary wrapper from the suppository follows), which will make it more durable.
- After the procedures described above, you must carefully remove the primary packaging from the candle, using a sharp object (knife, scissors) if necessary.
- If it is necessary to use ½ candle, cut it lengthwise into two equal parts using a disposable razor blade.
- The suppository removed from the wrapper should be taken with clean fingers or hands wearing disposable gloves.
- Lubricate the tip of the candle with a water-soluble lubricant (without Vaseline ) or moisten the anus with cool water.
- Take a lying position on your side with your lower leg fully straightened and your upper leg bent towards your stomach.
- Lift your upper buttock with your free hand, thereby opening the rectal area.
- Insert the suppository into the anus and insert it into the rectum using your fingertips beyond the muscular sphincter to a distance of approximately 2.5-5 cm in adults and 2.5 cm in infants.
- Bring your buttocks together and hold them in this state for several seconds.
- Remain in a side-lying position for 5 minutes, which will prevent the suppository from coming out.
- Throw away the used packaging and wash your hands thoroughly.
Dosage
It is recommended to use glycerin preparations only once a day, strictly observing the following dosages:
- One candle is enough for an adult and school-age children. In serious cases, with severe stagnation of feces, it is allowed to administer two suppositories.
- To speed up bowel movements in children under 3 years of age, one suppository should be divided into two parts.
- Children over three years of age are allowed to administer a whole suppository.
After insertion into the anus, the suppository immediately begins to dissolve and speed up the process of natural bowel movements, so you need to provide access to the toilet.
special instructions
You should not resort to systematic use of this remedy. The use of suppositories should be discontinued immediately after restoration of typical physiological intestinal motility .
Do not lubricate candles or the anus with solid or liquid mineral oils .
Glycerin suppositories for hemorrhoids are indicated in case of complications of this disease with constipation , lasting for 2-3 days. The use of suppositories is contraindicated for hemorrhoids in the acute period ( bleeding , bowel prolapse , etc.).
After childbirth, glycerin suppositories can be used if there is no stool for 2-3 days. These recommendations are appropriate especially after childbirth with stitches , when hard stools or physical stress during defecation can damage their integrity. Suppositories can be used only after consultation with a gynecologist and in the absence of mechanical damage to the anus.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The main advantages of glycerin-based drugs include:
- A high level of effectiveness has been proven in clinical trials.
- Speed of action. Within a few minutes after the introduction of the suppository, glycerin dissolves and the movement of feces accelerates.
- No side effects. Very rarely, allergic reactions to drugs may occur due to improper use or increased dosage.
- No systemic effect due to rectal use. The drug acts locally and is aimed at accelerating the natural processes of bowel movements.
- Glycerin suppositories can be used by both adults and children, pregnant women and during breastfeeding, if there are no contraindications.
- Simplicity and ease of use. Can be used without a doctor's prescription, because glycerin is safe for human health.
- Affordable price.
The disadvantages of suppositories include the possibility of allergic reactions due to prolonged use. Also, suppositories are not recommended for use by women with a threat of miscarriage or in the first months of pregnancy.
Analogs
Level 4 ATX code matches:
Norgalax
Glycerol
Microlax
- Dexeryl;
- Norgalax;
- Glycelax;
- Normacol;
- Enema;
- Ready-Tu-Uz;
- RectActive.
Synonyms
Synonymous drugs can be used and replaced independently, since they completely repeat the composition of the original drug. Popular synonyms:
- Glycelax (rectal suppositories). Glycelax based on glycerol has a laxative effect due to irritation of the membranes of the intestinal ampoule. Already 10-15 minutes after use, natural bowel movement occurs.
- Glycerin in suppositories. The same as glycerin suppositories. They have a mild laxative effect without pain or tension. The product is used for constipation and stool disorders. Available without a prescription.
- Laxolin (rectal suppositories). They contain glycerol, which softens stool, reduces pain during bowel movements due to hemorrhoids, after difficult childbirth, and intestinal surgeries.
You can use synonyms without prior consultation with your doctor if glycerin suppositories have previously been prescribed.
Glycerin suppositories for newborns
The instructions for glycerin suppositories for newborns suggest their use from the first days of a child’s life. Glycerin suppositories for infants are usually indicated in a daily dosage equal to ½ suppository weighing 1.24 grams, administered once every 24 hours (whether whole baby suppositories can be administered to newborns is decided by the pediatrician, based on the observed situation).
To properly administer the drug to newborns, you should first place the child on his back, bending his legs close to his tummy, and carefully, slowly insert a glycerin suppository (with the rounded end forward) as deep as possible behind the muscle sphincter. You can also lay the baby on his left side and bend his legs at the knees towards the tummy.
After this, you need to close the baby’s buttocks and hold them in this state for some time (about 2 minutes). This manipulation is carried out in order to prevent the suppository from slipping out and its immediate effect.
Reviews from pediatricians say that when the administration procedure is performed correctly, the laxative effect in infants occurs within 5-10 minutes.
In what cases will this drug not help?
Getting rid of constipation involves, first of all, eliminating the root causes that lead to it. This is an unhealthy, monotonous and unbalanced diet, sedentary work, physical inactivity. If the problem is not too advanced, then lifestyle adjustments will help to easily improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
However, there are cases when chronic constipation (colostasis) is caused not by physiological, easily remediable causes, but by more serious factors that require professional medical intervention and comprehensive treatment.
Glycerin suppositories are not a panacea for any problems with stool, therefore, the instructions for their use contain an exhaustive list of ailments that this drug can relieve.
But there are cases when it would be a mistake to waste time on healing using locally irritating agents:
- intestinal obstruction as a result of stenosis, adhesions or foreign body entrapment;
- neoplasms in the intestine, including malignant ones, narrowing its lumen and interfering with the natural passage of the food bolus;
- chronic constipation caused by physiology or certain medications.
Colostasis can have different underlying causes, depending on which its classification is made. So, depending on the form, it can be proctogenic, proximal and cologenic. Proctogenic colostasis is the lack of reaction of the rectum to a natural irritant in the form of accumulated feces (rectal inertia).
Instead of the urge to go to the toilet, the patient feels only pain and bloating in the abdomen. This is due to the following factors:
- impaired sensitivity of nerve receptors of the intestinal mucosa;
- neurological problems;
- imbalance of the endocrine system;
- underdevelopment of the muscles surrounding the rectum and pelvic floor;
- problems and interference of a mechanical nature: cracks, scars, hemorrhoids, inflammation, tumors.
The second type of such colostasis is pelvic floor dyssynergia, when there is a disconnection of the actions of the pelvic floor, rectum and sphincter. With this disease, a person, feeling a timely urge to defecate, cannot empty the intestines of feces due to an uncontrolled spasm.
Proximal colostasis is a fairly rare occurrence. It is associated with increased tone of the sphincter, which blocks the access of feces to the rectum, and its premature hardening outside it, in the upper intestines.
Cologenic colostasis occurs in the vast majority of cases. The reason is the lack of colon tone, the reason for which lies either in an insufficient number of nerve cells responsible for conducting nerve impulses, or in impaired blood microcirculation and a corresponding deterioration in the nutrition of healthy tissues.
If one of the reasons is also combined with a non-standard structure of the large intestine (expansion, elongation or prolapse), then problems with peristalsis will be guaranteed. The bolus of food does not reach the lower intestine, stopping much earlier.
And since the peculiarity of a laxative in the form of suppositories is local irritation of the rectum, causing the urge to defecate, one cannot expect the effectiveness of its use in this case.
Glycerin suppositories during pregnancy (and lactation)
The official instructions do not describe any restrictions on the use of the drug for constipation during breastfeeding and pregnancy , which, in principle, is confirmed by numerous reviews of women using this remedy during these periods.
However, some gynecologists do not recommend the use of glycerin suppositories during early pregnancy, since at this time the uterus is quite close to the rectum and the relaxing effect of the drug can also affect its tone . During late pregnancy, the above-described contraindications and the threat of miscarriage .
Side effect
With long-term use of glycerin suppositories, a person may develop a number of side effects:
- weakening of the natural reflex to defecate;
- irritation of the mucous membrane of the rectum and perianal area;
- catarrhal paraproctitis.
In case of individual intolerance, after the first use of the drug, the patient experiences local allergic reactions, the main symptoms of which are burning and itching.
If any side effects occur, further use of laxative suppositories should be discontinued and consult your doctor.
Reviews of Glycerin suppositories
The vast majority of reviews about this remedy for constipation, including reviews of glycerin suppositories for newborns, children and adult patients, are positive. A significant portion of people using this drug have experienced its rapid and relatively long-lasting effect in the absence of significant side effects and are completely satisfied with the results obtained.
Reviews of glycerin suppositories during pregnancy are not inferior in their positive assessment to the prevailing opinion and also position this drug as quite effective and inexpensive.
However, it should be remembered that the use of glycerin suppositories only facilitates the act of defecation and in no way affects the cause of constipation, which simply needs to be correctly diagnosed and effectively treated.
Composition and release form
Glycerin suppositories are presented in the form of rectal suppositories, 10 pieces per package, each suppository is sealed in an individual wrapper. The product contains purified glycerin, as well as excipients (macrogol, stearic acid, calcium carbonate). Externally, the candles have a white translucent color, quickly melt in your hands and are odorless. There are two types of dosage: for adult patients and children. In addition to the content of active substances, candles differ in size. The medicine should be stored at room temperature, avoiding heating above 25 degrees. Immediately before use, it is advisable to keep the medicine in the refrigerator so that the suppository does not melt during administration.
