Stimulant suppository / lubricant
Glycerol
Adult dose
Dose: 4g suppository PR OD when required
Route: PR
Frequency: PRN
Paediatric dose
Route: PR
Frequency: PRN
Age bands
- 1–12m: 1g suppository PRN
- 12–36m: 1g or 2g suppository PRN
- 36–216m: 4g suppository PRN
Clinical pearls
- Constipation refractory to oral laxatives; faecal disimpaction
Contraindications
- Bowel obstruction
Side effects
- Local irritation
- Cramps
Reference: BNFc; BNF; NICE CKS constipation; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/glycerol/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed · BSG 2019; NICE NG141
- Variceal Upper GI Bleed · BSG 2015; Baveno VII (2022)
- Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) · BSG / EASL 2018
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Hepatic Encephalopathy · EASL 2014; West Haven criteria
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021