Rectal administration
Rectal administration is a route of administration where medications are inserted into the rectum. This method is often used when a patient has difficulty swallowing, is vomiting, or the drug needs to be delivered directly to the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Rectal administration can be used for both systemic and local effects. Systemic effects involve the drug being absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Local effects are limited to the area of the rectum and colon, where the drug can treat conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and local infections.
Advantages[edit | edit source]
The rectal route has several advantages over other routes of administration. It bypasses the first pass effect, which can lead to a higher bioavailability of the drug. It is also useful for patients who are unable to swallow or are nauseous. Additionally, it can be used for drugs that are destroyed by stomach acid.
Disadvantages[edit | edit source]
Despite its advantages, rectal administration also has several disadvantages. It can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for some patients. The absorption of the drug can be unpredictable and variable. There is also a risk of damage to the rectal tissue if the drug is not administered properly.
Drugs Administered Rectally[edit | edit source]
Several types of drugs can be administered rectally. These include antiemetics, analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics, and sedatives. The form of the drug can vary, with suppositories and enemas being the most common.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure for rectal administration involves the patient lying on their side with their upper leg drawn towards their chest. The medication is then inserted into the rectum, usually with a lubricated finger or applicator. The patient should remain in this position for at least a few minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Oral administration
- Intravenous administration
- Subcutaneous administration
- Intramuscular administration
| Rectal administration Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
