What are Glycerin Suppositories?

Glycerin Suppositories are a laxative that contains the active ingredient Glycerol. They relieve occasional episodes of constipation by softening hard stools and stimulating the lining of the bowels to help pass stools more naturally.

These suppositories are a one-off treatment that can be used as required to ease symptoms of constipation. They are inserted directly into the rectum to encourage fast results within 20 minutes.

What are Glycerin Suppositories used for?

Glycerin Suppositories offer rapid relief from episodes of constipation. Constipation is very common and affects people of all shapes and sizes for all sorts of reasons.

It is advisable for anyone that suffers from constipation to try to make certain lifestyle adjustments to help prevent, reduce and ease symptoms.

• Eat a high-fibre diet - aim to eat fruit, vegetables and whole grains daily.
• Stay active - try to do a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week.
• Drink water - Stay hydrated and cut down on alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks.
• Go to the toilet as soon as you need it - do not ignore the urge to open your bowels.

How do Glycerin Suppositories work?

Glycerol is the active ingredient in Glycerin Suppositories and is what is known as an osmotic laxative. It works by drawing water into hard, dry stools from elsewhere in the body, which makes them larger, softer and easier to pass.

Glycerol also causes mild irritation to the lining of your bowel, which helps to stimulate slow, sluggish bowels encouraging your bowels to get moving again so you can start to feel like yourself again.

How quickly do Glycerin Suppositories work?

While other osmotic laxatives can take several days to help ease symptoms of constipation, Glycerin Suppositories work quickly, taking around 20 minutes to start to take effect.

Alternatives to Glycerin Suppositories

At The Independent Pharmacy, we recognise that not all laxatives are suitable for everyone. We, therefore, stock a range of constipation relief options to suit individual needs.

Our laxative options include:

Osmotic laxatives - Lactulose, Movicol, CosmoCol

Bulk-forming laxatives - Fybogel, Normacol

Stimulant laxatives - Senna, Dulcolax

For more information about laxatives and constipation treatment options, please have a look at our Constipation Remedies and Relief page.

Sources

• Glycerin Suppositories Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4897/pil
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/glycerol.html
• https://patient.info/medicine/glycerol-suppositories-for-constipation