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SUPPOSITORIES

Definition, different types and shapes.
Suppositories are solid dosage forms intended for insertion into body orifices where they melt,
soften, or dissolve and exert local or systemic effects.
Suppositories are commonly used rectally and vaginally and occasionally urethrally. They have
various shapes and weights.
Rectal suppositories:
They are 1.5 inches long and weigh 2 g for adults and 1 g for infants. They are cylindrical and have
one or both ends tapered or bullet or torpedo shape.
Vaginal suppositories:
Also called pessaries and are usually globular, oviform, or cone-shaped. Their weight depends on
the base and is about 5 g.
Urethral suppositories:
They are also called bougies. They are pencil-shaped. Male urethral suppositories may be 3-6 mm in
diameter and 140 mm long. When cocoa butter is used these suppositories weigh about 4 g. Female
urethral suppositories are about half the length and weight of male urethral suppositories.

Figure 1. Different shapes of suppositories.

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