Fleet glycerin suppositories typically produce a bowel movement within 15 minutes to an hour after insertion. They work by drawing water into the lower intestine, which softens stool and triggers the muscles in your rectum to contract. Using them correctly makes the process more comfortable and more effective.
Before You Start
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you’re using a traditional solid suppository, remove it from the foil wrapper and wet the tip with cold water. This light moisture acts as a lubricant and makes insertion significantly easier. Do not use warm water, which can cause the suppository to start melting in your hand.
If you’re using a Fleet liquid glycerin applicator (the squeezable bulb type), hold the unit upright and pull the orange protective shield off gently before doing anything else. The applicator is pre-lubricated, so you don’t need to add water.
Best Positions for Insertion
You have two options, and both work well. Choose whichever feels more comfortable.
- Left-side position: Lie on your left side with your right knee bent toward your chest. Let your arms rest comfortably. This is the most commonly recommended position because it aligns with the natural curve of the lower intestine.
- Knee-chest position: Kneel on a soft surface, then lower your head and chest forward until the left side of your face rests on the surface. Fold your left arm comfortably beneath you.
Step-by-Step Insertion
If you’re using a solid suppository, insert the tapered (pointed) end into the rectum, pushing it in about one inch for adults. Try to relax your body as much as possible. Bearing down slightly, as if you were having a bowel movement, helps relax the muscles around the anus and makes insertion easier. Once the suppository is past the sphincter, it should stay in place on its own. Remain lying on your side for 15 to 20 minutes to give it time to dissolve and take effect. You’ll feel the urge to go when it’s working.
For the liquid glycerin applicator, hold the bulb with your fingers and insert the tip into the rectum using steady pressure and a gentle side-to-side motion. Point the tip toward your navel. Never force it. If you feel resistance, stop immediately, because pushing harder can cause injury. Once the tip is inserted, squeeze the bulb until nearly all the liquid is expelled, then remove the tip while still squeezing. A small amount of liquid will remain in the unit after use, and that’s normal. The applicator contains slightly more than the effective dose, so you don’t need to empty it completely.
Dosage for Adults and Children
Adults and children 6 years and older use one suppository per day. Do not use more than one in a 24-hour period unless directed otherwise by a doctor. Children ages 2 to under 6 should use the smaller Pedia-Lax version rather than the standard adult size. Children under 2 should not use glycerin suppositories without a doctor’s guidance.
If constipation continues after one week of daily use, stop and talk to a doctor. Glycerin suppositories are meant for occasional, short-term relief, not ongoing daily use.
What to Expect Afterward
Most people feel an urge to have a bowel movement within 15 minutes to one hour. Stay near a bathroom once you’ve inserted the suppository. A mild burning or warm sensation in the rectum is common and usually fades quickly. This is caused by the glycerin drawing moisture into the tissue, and it’s not a sign of a problem.
If you have no bowel movement within one hour, that’s a signal that the suppository didn’t work as expected. Rectal bleeding after use is another reason to stop and contact a doctor. Both of these situations are uncommon but worth paying attention to.
Tips for a More Comfortable Experience
Cold water on the tip of a solid suppository is the single most helpful step people skip. It reduces friction noticeably. If you find the suppository too soft to insert (especially in warm weather), run it under cold water for a few seconds while still in the wrapper, or refrigerate it briefly before use.
Breathing slowly and deliberately during insertion helps your body relax. Tensing up is a natural reflex, but it makes the process harder. Focus on exhaling as you insert the suppository. Afterward, try to hold the suppository in for at least 15 minutes before responding to the urge. The longer the glycerin stays in contact with the rectal lining, the more effective it is at softening stool and stimulating movement.
Wash your hands again after the process is complete. If you used a liquid applicator, discard the entire unit after a single use.