Definition

Noun: A small, solid, medicated preparation designed to be inserted into a body cavity (typically the rectum or vagina), where it dissolves or melts at body temperature to release its active ingredients for localized or systemic effect.

Usage

A suppository is a method of drug delivery used when oral administration is impractical, such as due to nausea, vomiting, swallowing difficulties, or when a local effect in the rectum or vagina is needed. It is a common form for medications like laxatives, pain relievers, hormones, and anti-nausea drugs.

Examples

• The doctor prescribed a suppository for the infant's fever because she couldn't keep oral medicine down.
• After the surgery, he was given a pain relief suppository.
• Some medications for hemorrhoids are administered via a rectal suppository.

Advanced Usage

• Vaginal suppository: A type designed specifically for insertion into the vagina, often used to treat local infections (e.g., yeast infections) or for hormone therapy.
  • The antifungal treatment came in the form of a vaginal suppository.
• Urethral suppository: A less common type inserted into the urethra, primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (e.g., alprostadil).

Variants and Related Words

• Suppositorial (adjective, rare): Of or relating to a suppository.
  • The suppositorial route of administration.

Synonyms

• Medical insert
• Pessary (specifically for vaginal use)
• Medicated pellet

Different Meanings

The word "suppository" has no other common meanings outside of its specific medical/pharmaceutical context.

Noun

1. a small plug of medication designed for insertion into the rectum or vagina where it melts