SUPPOSITORIES

PRESENTED BY VANESSA PATRAO

Defination :

 Suppositories are MEDICATED solid dosage forms

of various shapes and sizes meant for insertion into
body cavities like rectum, vagina, urethra, ear, nose
etc .
Classification Of Suppositories :
 Rectal suppositories
 Vaginal suppositories

( PESSARIES )
 Urethral suppositories ( BOUGIES )

 Nasal suppositories

 Ear suppositories
 SOLID DOSAGE FORM
 1. ACTIVE INGREDIENT

2. SUPPOSITORY BASE
3. ADDITIVES
 OVAL , BULLET OR TORPEDO

SHAPED
Classification Of Suppositories Via Position Of
Action

LOCAL ACTION

SYSTEMIC ACTION
Therapy for rectal route :
 SUPPOSITORY WILL BE MELTED AND RELEASED
LOCAL EFFECT :
 In case of pain, itching and hemorrhoid.

 Locally active drugs include astringents, antiseptics,

local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, anti-inflammatory,

soothing and protective agents and some laxatives.
SYSTEMIC EFFECT :
 Anti-asthmatics, anti rheumatics, anti-pyretic and

analgesics
VAGINAL SUPPOSITORY
 They are also called as PESSARIES.
 SHAPE : globular, oviform or cone-shaped.
 Used occasionally.
 Intended for local effects like contraceptives,
antiseptics in feminine hygiene.
URETHRAL SUPPOSITORY

 Also called as BOUGIES .

 SHAPE – slender, pencil-shaped.
 Intended for anti-bacterial or as a local anesthetic
preparative for urethral examination.
 Occasionally used.
RECTAL SUPPOSITORY

 Intended for local action to relieve constipation,

irritation, itching and inflammatory associated to
hemorrhoids.
ADVANTAGES
 EASILY ADMINSTERED to children, old persons,
to unconscious or sometimes to mentally unstable
persons who cannot swallow the drug.
 Convenient mode of administration for drugs
which irritate the GIT, causing vomiting and
destroyed in acidic ph of stomach and enzymes of
GIT.
 FASTER ONSET OF ACTION as compared to
oral administration because absorption of drug
through rectal mucosa directly reaches blood.
ADVANTAGES
 Produce local action at the site of insertion, in
infections.
EXAMPLE: DICLOFENAC SODIUM CAN BE
BETTER ADMINISTERED WITH THE HELP
OF SUPPOSITORY COMPARED TO OTHER
DOSAGE FORMS .
 No variation of drug dose.
WHY THERE IS NEED FOR MEDICAMENTS AS
SUPPOSITORIES ??

TO EXERT DIRECT ACTION ON RECTUM :

they are usually used to relieve pain and irritation
and usually used as local anesthetics
EXAMPLES:
ASTRINGENTS : bismuth subgallate.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY : hydrocortisone and
its acetate.
WHY THERE IS NEED FOR MEDICAMENTS AS
SUPPOSITORIES ??

 TO PROVIDE SYSTEMIC EFFECT:

EXAMPLES INCLUDE :-
1. AMINOPHYLLINE – for relaxing involuntary
muscles, gives relief to asthamatics and chronic
bronchitics.
2. MORPHINE – powerful analgesic.
3. ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE
( IN TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE ) – acts as
analgesic.
WHY THERE IS NEED FOR MEDICAMENTS AS
SUPPOSITORIES ??

 TO PROMOTE EVACUATION OF BOWELS

laxative drugs like glycerol and bisacodyl exert
effect by irritating the rectum.
DISADVANTAGES
 Drugs which are irritant to mucous membrane
(rectum) cannot be formulated as suppository.
 Demands stringent storage conditions.
 Problematic in large scale production of
suppositries and achievement of suitable shelf life.
 Leaking problem of the material through cavities
causes embarrassment to the patient.
DISADVANTAGES
 Development of procitis (inflammation of anus and
lining of rectum) in some cases.
DISADVANTAGES
 Slow and incomplete absorption of drug.
SUPPOSITORY BASES
 Suppository base play important role in release of
the medication and therefore in availability of drug.
 CLASSIFICATION
Fatty Bases

Water Soluble OR
Miscible Bases

Miscellaneous Bases
IDEAL PROPERTIES OF SUPPOSITORY
BASES

 It should melt at body temperature or dissolve or

disperse in body fluids.
 It should release any medicament easily.
 It should keep its shape when being handled.
 It should be non-toxic and non-irritant to the
mucous membrane.
 It should be stable on storage and also stable if
heated above its M.P.
IDEAL PROPERTIES OF SUPPOSITORY
BASES

 It should be easily molded and should not adhere to

the mold.
 It should possess good wetting and emulsifying
properties.
 It should be able to incorporate a high percentage
of water.
 It should be chemically and physically stable.
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