Rectal Route

Introduction

Drugs can be given rectally in solution, suppository or emulsion form.

Indications

This route of drug administration is

• Generally for local effect rather than systemic effects.
• Such as constipation, anal fissures and haemorrhoids.
• Indicated for drugs inactivated by the gastrointestinal fluids or liver when given orally [bypassing first-past (presystemic) metabolism]
• Indicated when the oral route is precluded, for example when a patient is vomiting or unconscious (i.e. when the patient is unable to swallow).

Disadvantages

• The rectal route is inconvenient.
• Can affect patient compliance especially for chronic ailments because of privacy and cultural aspects.
• Drug absorption is often irregular and difficult to predict.
• It depends on the positioning of the dosage form in the rectal cavity and on interpatient variations in rectal content.

How to Use