ABSTRACT
Suppositories are solid dosage forms of various weights and shapes that are designed to be inserted into rectal, vaginal, or urethral orifices of the human body. Upon insertion, these suppositories melt, soften, or dissolve at body temperature. A suppository may act as a protectant or palliative to the local tissues at the point of insertion or as a carrier of therapeutic agents for systemic or local action. While rectal suppositories are generally inserted with the fingers, some vaginal suppositories may be inserted with the help of a special insertion appliance. Suppositories are convenient for use in patients who are children, uncooperative, or in a coma, and for patients with some local infections. Because suppositories can be extemporaneously prepared, tailoring of the dose of a drug should be easier as compared to other solid dosage forms. Some of the common, commercially available suppositories include Glycerin, Indocin®, Thorazine®, Cafergot®, Anusol®-HC, Phenergan®, Gyne-Lotrimin®, Sultrin®, Terazol-3®, Flagyl®, and Monistat®-7.
