Using a suppository for constipation is straightforward: you insert a small, bullet-shaped medication into the rectum, where it dissolves and triggers a bowel movement, typically within 15 to 60 minutes. It’s one of the fastest-acting options for constipation relief, and the technique is simple once you know the basics.
How Constipation Suppositories Work
The two most common types are glycerin and bisacodyl, and they work differently. Glycerin acts as an osmotic laxative, drawing water into the lower bowel to soften stool while also stimulating the colon to contract. Bisacodyl is a stronger stimulant that activates nerve endings in the colon wall, increasing the wave-like contractions that push stool forward. It also reduces the amount of water the intestine absorbs, keeping stool softer. In direct comparisons, bisacodyl produces stronger, longer-lasting contractions than glycerin.
For mild or occasional constipation, glycerin is usually the gentler starting point. Bisacodyl is better suited for more stubborn cases where a stronger push is needed.
Before You Start
If the suppository feels soft when you take it out of the package, hold it under cool running water for a minute or place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. A firm suppository is much easier to insert and less likely to crumble. Don’t remove the foil or plastic wrapper until you’re ready to use it.
Gather what you need: the suppository, a disposable glove or a small piece of plastic wrap to cover your fingertip, and optionally a water-based lubricant (like K-Y Jelly). Petroleum-based lubricants can interfere with the suppository dissolving properly.
Step-by-Step Insertion
Wash your hands thoroughly, then put on a glove or cover your index finger with plastic wrap. Remove the suppository from its wrapper.
Lie on your left side with your right knee bent up toward your chest. This is called the Sims position, and it follows the natural curve of your lower intestine, making insertion easier and more comfortable. If lying on your side isn’t possible due to mobility issues, lying on your back with your knees raised works as an alternative.
Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to the rounded tip of the suppository and to the opening of the rectum. Take a slow breath to relax. Gently push the rounded end of the suppository into the rectum using the tip of your index finger. You want to insert it past the muscular ring of the sphincter, roughly one inch in for adults. You’ll know it’s far enough in if it doesn’t slide back out on its own. If you feel resistance, stop. Forcing it can cause injury.
Once inserted, squeeze your buttocks together gently and stay lying down for a few minutes to keep the suppository in place.
How Long to Wait
Try to hold the suppository in for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This gives it time to dissolve and begin working. You’ll likely feel an urge to have a bowel movement during this time, which is normal and means the medication is doing its job. Resist the urge for as long as you comfortably can within that window, because holding it longer allows the suppository to work more completely.
Glycerin suppositories typically produce results within 15 to 30 minutes. Bisacodyl can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. If you haven’t had a bowel movement within 12 hours of using a bisacodyl suppository, or if you notice any rectal bleeding, contact your healthcare provider.
Using Suppositories for Children
Pediatric glycerin suppositories come in smaller sizes designed for children. The technique is similar but gentler. Position the child on their side with knees bent toward the chest, on their back with legs raised, or over your lap on their stomach with knees tucked. Insert the suppository with a slight side-to-side motion, pointing the tip toward the child’s navel.
For children under two years old, check with a doctor before using any suppository. For older children, watch for results within one hour. If there’s no bowel movement in that window, or if you see rectal bleeding, stop using the product and call your pediatrician. A burning sensation or mild rectal discomfort can happen and is usually temporary, but ongoing irritation warrants a call to the doctor.
How Often You Can Use Them
The standard dosing for both glycerin and bisacodyl suppositories is once daily. Glycerin is generally safe for short-term regular use. Bisacodyl should be used more cautiously because long-term use of stimulant laxatives is linked to structural changes in the colon, including loss of the natural folds that help move stool along. This could reflect nerve or muscle damage from chronic stimulant exposure.
A good rule of thumb: if you’re reaching for a suppository more than once a week for several weeks, the constipation likely needs a different approach. Dietary changes, adequate hydration, and oral laxatives that work higher up in the digestive tract may be more appropriate for ongoing issues.
Common Problems and How to Handle Them
The most frequent issue is the suppository sliding out before it has time to dissolve. This usually means it wasn’t inserted deep enough. Push it in a bit further next time, and stay lying down with your buttocks squeezed together for at least five minutes after insertion. If the suppository keeps coming out, it may be too soft. Refrigerate the next one for 10 to 15 minutes before trying again.
Some people experience mild irritation or a burning sensation in the rectum after insertion, especially with bisacodyl. This is a known side effect of the stimulant ingredient and usually fades quickly. Glycerin tends to cause less irritation, so switching types may help if discomfort is an issue.
If you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or any condition causing rectal pain or bleeding, suppositories may not be the right choice. The insertion process can aggravate these conditions, and the medication itself can increase irritation in already-inflamed tissue.