Stimulant suppository / lubricant 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

Glycerol (glycerin) is an osmotic agent used as a rectal suppository or enema for the short-term relief of constipation, and also has applications as an emollient and pharmaceutical excipient.

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 the suppository/laxative use; the label states no lubricant use, so this card covers constipation only. §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) suppository only; the label gives no dose for children or infants and §4.3 states 'Adults suppositories are not suitable for use by children and infants' — smaller-size products are separate licences and are not covered. Children: use a children's formulary. Not to be swallowed; keep all medicines away from children. The old infant 1 g Glycerol SPC figure is NOT used.

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; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — 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

When administered rectally it acts as a hyperosmotic and mild local irritant, drawing water into the bowel and stimulating rectal evacuation.

Prescribing in practice

It is intended for short-term relief of occasional constipation; persistent or recurrent symptoms warrant assessment for an underlying cause rather than continued laxative use.
Rectal preparations may cause local irritation or a burning sensation on administration.
Moistening the suppository before insertion can aid administration and patient comfort.

Monitoring

Routine laboratory monitoring is not required; review the response and reassess if constipation persists despite treatment.

Counselling the patient

This is for short-term relief; see your clinician if constipation continues or recurs.
Maintaining adequate fluid intake, fibre and activity helps prevent constipation.

Evidence & guidelines

Osmotic and stimulant laxatives are established options for the management of constipation in line with NICE guidance.

Reference: NICE CKS constipation; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). 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.

Pathways