glycerin (rectal)

What is the most important information I should know about glycerin rectal?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is glycerin rectal?

Glycerin rectal is used as a laxative. It works by causing the intestines to hold more water, which softens the stool.

Glycerin rectal is used to treat occasional constipation or to cleanse the bowel before a rectal exam or other intestinal procedure.

Glycerin rectal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using glycerin rectal?

To make sure glycerin rectal is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
• rectal bleeding;
• a change in bowel habits that has lasted for 2 weeks or longer;
• ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon; or
• if you have used another laxative for longer than 1 week.

When using this medication in any child, use only the forms that are specially made for children. Certain brands of glycerin rectal should not be used in children.

How should I use glycerin rectal?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Overuse of a laxative may cause damage to the nerves, muscles, or tissues in your intestines.

This medicine comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

To use the suppository:

• Remove the wrapper before inserting the suppository. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
• Use your finger or the applicator provided to insert the suppository.
• Lie on your left side with your lower leg straight and your upper leg bent. Gently insert the suppository pointed tip first into your rectum, about 1/2 inch for a child or 1 inch for an adult.
• For best results, stay lying down for a few minutes. The suppository will melt quickly and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in.

To use the enema:

• Remove the protective shield before inserting the enema tip.
• Lie on your left side with your lower leg straight and your upper leg bent. If giving this medicine to a child, have the child kneel on the floor and then lower the chest forward until the side of the child's face is resting on the floor.
• Gently insert the tip of the applicator or bulb syringe into the rectum, pointing it toward your navel (belly button). Do not force the applicator into the rectum or injury could result.
• Slowly squeeze the bottle or bulb until it is nearly empty.

For best results after using glycerin rectal, stay lying down until you feel the urge to have a bowel movement. This medicine should produce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes after using the suppository.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is usually given only once as needed, you will not be on a dosing schedule. Do not use glycerin rectal more than once in a 24-hour period.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using glycerin rectal?

What are the possible side effects of glycerin rectal?

• severe stomach pain or cramping;
• rectal bleeding; or
• no bowel movement within 1 hour after use.

Common side effects may include:

• loose stools;
• nausea or stomach discomfort; or
• rectal pain or burning.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect glycerin rectal?

Other drugs may interact with glycerin rectal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about glycerin rectal.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision date: 9/23/2014.