What is the purpose of a suppository?

The purpose of a suppository is specifically to be inserted into the rectum or vagina. Suppositories are designed to dissolve in these locations, allowing their active ingredients to be absorbed through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream or to provide local effects on the tissues. This method of administration is particularly useful when a patient cannot take medication orally due to conditions such as vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or gastrointestinal issues. It can also be used for local treatment of conditions affecting the rectal or vaginal areas.

Other forms of medication, such as those taken orally, injected, or applied topically, do not utilize the unique absorption characteristics and local effects that suppositories offer. This underscores the specific role that rectal or vaginal administration plays in pharmacology, making suppositories a unique and valuable form of medication delivery.