Suppositories are solid dosage forms used to administer medication through body cavities like the rectum, vagina, or urethra. They melt or dissolve at body temperature to deliver drugs locally or systemically. Rectal suppositories are tapered at one or both ends and weigh around 2 grams for adults and 1 gram for infants. Vaginal suppositories come in various shapes and weigh 3-5 grams, often using water-soluble bases. Urethral suppositories are pencil-shaped and longer for males. Suppositories use stable, non-irritating bases that dissolve in the intended cavity. They are prepared using hand-molding or fusion methods and require skill to produce properly sized and shaped

1. SUPPOSITORIESTYPES AND DEFINITIONSCOMPOSITION AND INGREDIENTSPREPARATION AND COMPOUNDING TECHNIQUES

2. TYPES AND DEFINITIONSSolid dosage form used to administer medication by way of the rectum, vagina, or urethral tractMelt or undergo dissolution at body temperature, delivering needed drug either locally or systemically

3. Rectal SuppositoriesTapered at either one end or bothAdult suppositories weigh approximately 2 grams and are from 1 to 1-1/2 inch longInfant suppositories are half the size of adult suppositories

4. Vaginal SuppositoriesAvailable in a variety of shapesUsually weigh 3 to 5 grams eachMade from water soluble bases such as polyethylene glycols or glycerinated gelatinAnother form is a compressed tablet, also known as an insert

5. Urethral SuppositoriesPencil shaped with a 5 mm diameterUrethral suppository for a female is 50 mm in length and weighs approximately 2 gramsUrethral suppository for a male is 125 mm in length and weighs about 4 gramsUrethral suppositories are rarely prescribed

6. COMPOSITION AND INGREDIENTSBases used in compounding suppositories should be stable, nonirritating, and both chemically and physiologically inactive, and dissolve in the body cavity where insertedChoose base, considering patient sensitivities to ingredients, drug-base compatibility, solubility, stability, rate of release of drug, amount of drug to be incorporated, local or systemic effect

7. PREPARATION AND COMPOUNDING TECHNIQUESHand molding suppositories requires skills achieved with experienceUse cocoa butter as base, cocoa butter is grated, weighed, and mixed with active ingredient using a mortar and pestleMixture becomes a solid form, shape with hands into long cylinder, cut into desire length, and round the tip.

8. PREPARATION AND COMPOUNDING TECHNIQUES Fusion method the base is melted using a water bath on a hotplate and poured into pre-calibrated molds.Active ingredient and excipients are stirred into the completely liquefied baseSuppositories are cooled and hardened at room temperature, the excess is trimmed using a clean single-edge razor or heated spatula

9. CONCLUSIONWhen preparing suppositories, it is always advisable to prepare 10 percent excess to allow for loss during preparation and for overfilling