Stimulant / Osmotic Rectal Laxative Pregnancy: Not stated — the retrieved sections for Glycerin Suppositories BP 4g Adult Size contain no §4.6 (fertility, pregnancy and lactation) text, so no pregnancy or breast-feeding statement can be sourced for this product.

Glycerol Suppositories

Brand names: Glycerin Suppositories BP

Glycerol (glycerin) suppositories are a rectally administered osmotic and lubricant laxative used for the short-term relief of constipation.

Adult dose

Dose: Adults and the elderly — relief of occasional constipation: one 4 g adult-size glycerin suppository as required

Route: Rectal — dip the suppository in water before insertion

Frequency: As required

Pinned product: Glycerin Suppositories BP 4g Adult Size. §4.1 verbatim: 'For the relief of occasional constipation' — matches; route rectal matches. §4.2 verbatim: 'Rectal. RECOMMENDED DOSES AND DOSAGE SCHEDULES One suppository as required. The suppository should be dipped in water before insertion. The suppositories are defined as adult size, therefore there is no children's use recommendation. They are suitable for use by the elderly, dose and dosage schedule as above.' The label prints no frequency limit and no maximum, so none is given. SCOPE: this card is the ADULT-size (4 g) product only. The page also lists Paediatrics, but this label gives no dose for children or infants and §4.3 states 'Adults suppositories are not suitable for use by children and infants' — paediatric-size products are separate licences with their own SPCs and are not covered here. Children: use a children's formulary. Not to be swallowed; keep all medicines away from children.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Not stated in the retrieved sections.

Hepatic

Not stated in the retrieved sections.

Dose independently re-sourced from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — clinician-reviewed. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to glycerol
Adult-size suppositories are not suitable for use by children and infants (§4.3)
Not to be swallowed — suppositories must not be taken by mouth (§4.4)

Side effects

Gastrointestinal disorders: may cause irritation and occasionally abdominal cramps (§4.8, the whole adverse-effect statement)

Interactions

None known (§4.5)

Clinical monograph

How it works

Inserted into the rectum, glycerol acts osmotically to draw water into the bowel and has a mild local irritant and lubricant effect that stimulates rectal evacuation.

Prescribing in practice

They are for occasional, short-term use only and should not be relied upon long term, as the underlying cause of constipation should be addressed.
Moistening the suppository before insertion improves comfort, and onset of action is usually rapid.
Avoid in patients with bowel obstruction or undiagnosed rectal bleeding until assessed.

Monitoring

No routine laboratory monitoring is needed; assess the clinical response and review if constipation persists or recurs.

Counselling the patient

Moisten the suppository with water before gently inserting it into the back passage and try to retain it for a short while.
Expect the medicine to work fairly quickly; seek advice if there is no result or if you have persistent bleeding.

Evidence & guidelines

Rectal glycerol is a long-established, widely used measure for the short-term relief of constipation.

Reference: NICE NG128 Constipation; Confirm identity and dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC) and NICE. Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways