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What are Vitamin Suppositories?

Tracey Parece
Tracey Parece

A suppository is a solid drug-delivery system that dissolves after being inserted into the body through the vagina, urethra, or rectum where its active ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Vitamin suppositories are suppositories that deliver vitamins through the rich supply of blood vessels located in the rectum. They were first used in patients who had undergone gastric bypass surgery and were unable to adequately absorb vitamins from their diets. These suppositories are used as an alternative to intravenous administration of vitamins.

The shape of a vitamin suppository roughly resembles a bullet, rounded at one end and flat at the other end. It is generally composed of a solid vegetable oil base or cocoa butter infused with vitamins. Suppositories gradually dissolve as a result of the body's heat. The vitamins contained in the dissolved suppository are subsequently absorbed.

Vitamin suppositories.
Vitamin suppositories.

It is important to follow the directions provided by your doctor or pharmacist regarding the use of vitamin suppositories. They should be stored in a cool dark place prior to use according to their directions. People often find it more convenient to use them at bedtime to minimize leakage from the anus. It is also advisable to use these suppositories after defecation rather than prior to it.

Vitamin suppositories may be inserted into the rectum.
Vitamin suppositories may be inserted into the rectum.

In addition to patients who have had weight loss surgery, people may experience intestinal malabsorption due to various other factors. Some reasons why people may have difficulty absorbing vitamins from food include genetics, illness, and disease. Other reasons are treatments such as chemotherapy, medications like birth control pills, and poor nutrition. In these situations, suppositories may be used to deliver vitamins to the bloodstream via the rectum.

Laxative suppositories are frequently used in patients who have difficulties voiding their bowels.
Laxative suppositories are frequently used in patients who have difficulties voiding their bowels.

These suppositories may benefit individuals who have deficiencies in Vitamin A, Vitamin B, or Vitamin D. Other common vitamin deficiencies include biotin, calcium, folic acid, iron, and trace minerals like chromium and zinc. These types of vitamins and minerals can be delivered rectally using suppositories.

In addition to vitamin suppositories, acetaminophen suppositories are also available for pain management. Laxative suppositories are also frequently used in patients who have difficulty voiding their bowels. Glycerin suppositories are common for the treatment and relief of mild to moderate constipation. Suppository use is sometimes prescribed when a patient cannot take medications orally. Some examples of when a person might be given medication rectally are when a patient is unconscious, vomiting, or is fed through a feeding tube.

Discussion Comments

anon997895

What a great idea. Pills make me feel horrid. I'm going to try this method.

anon990871

Very common in Italy and France. I was so ill from shellfish in Italy and my stomach was so empty that the only way I could take an antibiotic was in a suppository. The doctor had to explain how to get it in there!

SarahGen

@ddljohn-- I think there may be two different types of vitamin E suppositories out there, I'm not sure. I personally use vitamin E vaginal suppositories. These are recommended by doctors for some women to treat vaginal dryness and other issues that occur after menopause. I find them very helpful and have been using them for several weeks now.

I don't know if rectal vitamin E suppositories are sold separately or if people use the same product. But I'm sure that others vitamin E suppositories rectally to treat other conditions or a deficiency.

ddljohn

I was at the store the other day, in the drug aisle, and saw vitamin E suppositories. Does anyone know what these are good for?

ZipLine

I have used constipation suppositories in the past but this is the first time I'm hearing about vitamin suppositories. But I think that it's a great idea for people who can't absorb vitamins through the digestive system. There are so many health conditions that reduce the absorption of vitamins and minerals in people. And when that happens, there are many issues like fatigue, weak immune system and frequent illness. It's important to get those vitamins and if a suppository is the only way, then I think that's fine.

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    • Vitamin suppositories.
      By: sheval
      Vitamin suppositories.
    • Vitamin suppositories may be inserted into the rectum.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Vitamin suppositories may be inserted into the rectum.
    • Laxative suppositories are frequently used in patients who have difficulties voiding their bowels.
      By: Africa Studio
      Laxative suppositories are frequently used in patients who have difficulties voiding their bowels.
    • It is important to follow the doctor's directions carefully when using vitamin suppositories.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      It is important to follow the doctor's directions carefully when using vitamin suppositories.
    • Women who are on birth control pills may have difficulty absorbing vitamins from food.
      By: Marc Dietrich
      Women who are on birth control pills may have difficulty absorbing vitamins from food.
    • Gylcerine suppositories are commonly used to treat moderate constipation.
      By: Kaspars Grinvalds
      Gylcerine suppositories are commonly used to treat moderate constipation.
    • Patients who are experiencing intestinal malabsorption as a result of  weight loss surgery may benefit from using vitamin suppositories.
      By: Lsantilli
      Patients who are experiencing intestinal malabsorption as a result of weight loss surgery may benefit from using vitamin suppositories.
    • Vitamin suppositories should be used after defecation rather than prior to it.
      By: eyeQ
      Vitamin suppositories should be used after defecation rather than prior to it.
    • Laxative abuse may be common among the elderly whose pills create constipation as a side effect.
      By: Radu Razvan
      Laxative abuse may be common among the elderly whose pills create constipation as a side effect.