How to Use Anal Pills

Suppositories are used to treat a variety of conditions, such as laxatives or hemorrhoids. If you’ve never used rectal suppositories before, the process can seem a bit intimidating. However, if there is proper preparation, the introduction of the drug into the anus is quite easy and quick.

Table of Contents

Prepare the Pill

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Consult your doctor. Although you can buy this drug directly from a pharmacy without a prescription, it is best to consult your doctor before taking any new medication. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

This is especially important if you have been constipated for a long time and are trying to treat it at home with suppositories. You should not take laxatives for a long time.
You should also consult your doctor if you want to use rectal suppositories in the following cases: pregnant, nursing, taking other medications or planning to use medicine for young children.
You should tell your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, nausea, or have ever had an allergic reaction to laxatives.

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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Germs and other bacteria can enter the immune system through the rectum if given the opportunity. For this reason, you should wash your hands even if you wear gloves while administering the medication.

If you have long nails, you should cut them short to avoid scratching or damaging the rectal wall.

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Read the instructions carefully. There are many different types of laxatives on the market, and they vary in dosage and administration. The strength of the medicine will determine how many pills you need to insert.

Follow the directions on the package, never exceed the recommended amount.
If you use prescription laxatives, follow the instructions given by your doctor.
If the full dose is not required, cut the tablet in half lengthwise. The pill will be easier to insert if you cut the pill lengthwise.

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Wear disposable gloves or mittens. If desired, you can use rubber gloves to protect your hands during the injection. It’s not necessary, but wearing gloves will make you feel safer, especially if you have long nails.

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Harden the tablet if it is soft. If the pill is too soft, it can hurt when you insert it. So it’s best to harden the pill before taking it. There are several ways to harden the medicine before removing the cover: ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Place the medicine in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Hold the tablet under a stream of cold water for several minutes.

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Lubricate the perianal area with an oil-based gel (optional). You may want to lubricate the skin around your anus to make it easier to insert the medication, if so you can use an oil-based gel, cream, or topical medication recommended by your doctor. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Insert Drugs

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Lie on your side. To administer the medication, you should lie down on the left side of your body, pulling your right leg up toward your chest.

You can also insert the medicine into your anus while standing. In this case, spread your legs apart and bend your knees slightly.
Another way to insert the medicine is to lie on your back with your legs up in the air (like a baby being changed).

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Insert the medicine into the rectum. To make it easier to insert the medicine, raise the upper buttock so that the rectum is exposed, insert the medicine vertically. For adults, you will push the pill with your index finger, if you are a child, use your little finger.

For adults, push the tablet into the rectum at least 2.5 cm deep.
For children, push the tablet into the rectum at least 1.2 to 2.5 cm deep.
You must be sure to push the medication through the anal sphincter. If the pill has not been pushed through this site, it may emerge later, instead of being received by the body.

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Squeeze your buttocks together for a few seconds after inserting the medicine. Do this to keep the pill from slipping back out. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You should continue to lie down for several minutes afterward.

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Wait for the medicine to take effect. Depending on the type of drug inserted into the anus, the time for the drug to be absorbed into the body is from 15 to 60 minutes, and the feeling of abdominal pain begins to appear. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly. Using soap and water, be sure to rub the soap on your hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing it off completely.

Insert the drug into the patient’s anus

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Have the patient lie on his or her side. There are many positions to insert the medicine, and the easiest way is to lie on your side and bring your knees up to your chest. ^{[6] X Trusted Source University of Wisconsin Health Go to Source}

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Prepare to insert drugs. Hold the medicine with one hand, between your thumb and index finger. ^{[7] X Trusted Source University of Wisconsin Health Go to source} Use the other hand to lift or pull the patient’s buttocks up so that the anus is exposed. ^{[8] X Trusted Source University of Wisconsin Health Go to Source}

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Put the medicine in. Using your index finger for adults or little finger for children, gently insert the rounded end of the tablet into the anus.

For adults, insert the tablet into the anus at least 2.5 cm deep.
For children, insert the tablet into the anus at least 1 to 2.5 cm deep.
If you don’t insert the medicine deep enough (through the sphincter), there is a chance that it will be pushed out of the anus.

Advice

You should insert the medicine into your rectum as quickly as possible. Keeping the medicine outside for too long will cause it to melt on your hands.
If the medicine slips back out, you haven’t inserted it deep enough.
Make sure the child does not move while you are inserting the medicine.
Alternatively, you can insert the medication into the anus while standing. In this case, you should stand with your feet wide and slightly squat down. Then use your finger to push the medicine into the rectum.

Warning

Be sure to wash your hands before and after inserting the medicine because stool contains bacteria that can cause illness.

Steps

Prepare the Pill

Insert Drugs

Insert the drug into the patient’s anus

Advice

Warning

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