This document summarizes suppositories as solid dosage forms intended for insertion into body cavities where they melt and exert local or systemic effects. It describes the different types of suppositories based on their shape and size for various cavities. Suppository bases are discussed including fatty, water soluble, and emulsifying bases. Cocoa butter and glycerinated gelatin are commonly used bases. The advantages of the suppository route include targeting specific areas, use for patients who cannot swallow, and protecting unstable or irritating drugs. Production methods like hand moulding, hot process, and cold compression are covered. References on industrial pharmacy textbooks are provided at the end.

1. SUBMITTED BY: SHABBI KHAN
B.PHARM 3rd YEAR
GUPTA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ASANSOL

2.  Suppositories are solid dosage forms intended for
insertion into body cavities where they melt, soften or
dissolve and exert local or systemic effect.
 Derived from latin word supponere, meaning “to place
under”.
 Emollients, astringents, antibacterial agents, steroids
and local aneasthetics are dispensed in suppository for
treating local actions.
 Analgesics, antispasmodics, sedatives ,tranquillizers are
dispensed in suppository for treating systemic action.

3. RECTAL
Cone or
torpedo shaped
weighing 1-2g
VAGINAL
(pessaries)
Globular,
oviform,cone or
wedge shaped
weighing 2-8 g.
Made from
glycero-gelatin
or macrogol
base.
URETHRAL
BOUGIES
Thin pencil
shaped and
pointed at one
end.
Male bougies -4g
and100-150 mm.
Female bougies-
2g and 60-
75mm.
NASAL
Thin pencil
shaped with
pointed
ends.
1.2 g and 9-
10 mm
long.
EAR
CONES
Pencil
shaped.

4.  Easy to mould
 Should not adhere to the mould
 Retain its shape when handled
 Release any medicament readily
 Non-toxic and non irritant
 Dissolve/Disperse in body fluids
 Compatible with all medicaments
 Melt at body temperature
 Stable on storage
 Stable above its melting point

5.  FATTY OR OLEAGINOUS BASE
 These melt at body temperature.
 Eg:- Theobroma oil(Cocoa butter), Hydrogenated
oil, Emulsified theobroma oil etc.
 Cocoa butter is most comonly used.
 Cocoa butter is a yellowish white solid obtained
from the crushed seeds of Theobroma cocoa and is
capable of existing in four crystalline forms.

6.  WATER SOLUBLE AND WATER MISCIBLE BASES
 They dissolve or disperse in rectal sectretions.
 Eg;-Glycero-gelatin base ,soap glycerin
suppositories, polyethylene glycols.
 Glycerinated gelatin is commonly used in the
preparation of pessaries, where prolonged
localized action of the medicament is usually
desired.
 Replacement of glycerin in glycero-gelatin base
by sodium stearate takes place in soap glycerin
suppositories.
 Polyethylene glycol polymers
(carbowaxes/polyglycols/macrogols) of different
molecular weights are used as suppository or
pessary base.

7.  EMULSYFING BASE
 These are synthetic bases.
 Some of the synthetic bases available in the
market are as follows:-
 Witepsol
 Massa estarinum
 Massupol

8. ADVANTAGES
Oral route
not useful
Patients with
GIT/Nausea/
Vomiting
problem
Drugs with
GI side
effects
Drugs
susceptible
to enzymatic
degradation
Drugs that
are unstable
at GI pH
Localized or
targeted
action
Drugs with
unpleasant
taste
Paediatric
/Old/
Unconscious
patients
ADVANTAGES OF
SUPPOSITORIES

9. DISADVANTAGES
Mucosal
irritation
Leakage
Production
is difficult
and costly
GI state
affects
absorption
Sometimes
incomplete
absorption

10. HAND MOULDING/ROLLING METHOD
• Ancient method of preparation
• Not used nowadays
HOT PROCESS/FUSION METHOD
• Used commonly for dispensing purpose
• Base melted and compressed
COLD COMPRESSION METHOD
• Useful for thermolabile and insoluble drugs
• Heating and stirring not required

11.  Dispensing Pharmacy- R.M MEHTA
 The Theory and Practice of Industrial
Pharmacy- LEON LACHMAN
HERBERT A.LIEBERMAN
JOSEPH L.KANIG

12. THANK YOU