Germans and French Obsessed with Suppositories

I know, I know I'm a fine one to talk about being obsessed with suppositories. But, and I know this is a broad generalisation, are Germans and French one of the two nations that are suppository crazy? I don't mean to cause any offence asking this, and I hope no offence will be taken. But in my many years of being a huge fan of suppositories and enemas, it seems from my reading and viewing that Germans and French do love their suppositories (for both relieving constipation as well as administrating other medicines)....your thoughts as ever very much welcomed ❤️

Forty years ago, it was commonplace to give medicine (drugs) in suppository form. Nowadays, many drugs in suppository form have disappeared. For instance, there used to be multiple brands of suppositories against throat ache, now there is only one, and I think they have dropped the children ones (I got many of these as a kid).

Regarding laxatives, keep in mind that enemas are rare here, so if you have "low constipation", a suppository is a likely solution. Even so, physicians and pharmacists nowadays warn against using them on children (perhaps because it gives them the habit to "go" only if given one).

Why would anyone take a suppo to cure a sore throat?

Yes, I agree with you. I read that the French are 8 times more likely to receive a prescription in suppository form.

Many years ago (60+), one of my siblings used to receive Aspirin suppositories because of an inability to take pills.

I wish Americans were a little less "anal phobic". I'd definitely like more medications in suppository form. However, I'm sure the drug companies charge way more for suppository form for their medications.

@DoctorJohnny2 Why would one take a suppo to cure a headache? But that's what people do with Tylenol.

I know, I know I'm a fine one to talk about being obsessed with suppositories. But, and I know this is a broad generalisation, are Germans and French one of the two nations that are suppository crazy?

You can include Belgium as well. But mostly in the past, let's say up till the 1960s or so. My grandmother and aunt were big believers of kids being better served with suppositories than oral medicine.

Nowadays the notion is different.

In Germany, many suppositories have been discontinued in recent years. I therefore assume that Germans do not exactly prefer suppositories, although they are gentler on the stomach than tablets. Presumably they are prescribed less or bought less out of a sense of shame.

On the other hand, I have the impression that in America there is a preference for enemas, which I also do not know from the Germans.

This is off the topic, but I've heard that European countries, including Scandinavia are also not using rectal temps any longer. I have no way to confirm any of this information, but with cultural and medical advances, this would make sense.

@JJM When I was a child (1970s-1980s), rectal temperatures were widely used in France. Many adults took their own temperature this way. In hospitals, it was expected that adult patients would take their own temperature this way, as well as older children (younger children had it taken rectally by nurses). The same applied to many families.

Nowadays, some people that were born in the 1970s and before still use rectal temperatures on themselves, and they are still used on babies, but infrared etc thermometers are largely popular.

Conversely to taking a suppository to relieve a sore throat, would anyone take a throat lozenge in their mouth to relieve a sore rectum?

Conversely to taking a suppository to relieve a sore throat, would anyone take a throat lozenge in their mouth to relieve a sore rectum?

A lozenge and a suppository are two different things.

A lozenge is a soothing agent, like honey or eucalyptus or some kind of syrup or whatever and works locally. While a suppository contains medication. Medication in suppository form needs to be absorbed into the body via the digestive tract and therefore either end of the tract will do.

Sore throats can often be from an infection, so absorbed medication will work however administered. And one can always administer both for a sore throat.

Ok all you play docs. Can anyone name a medication administered in suppo form that’s prescribed for a sore throat?

@DoctorJohnny2 The only current "throat ache" suppository brand that I know of is Pholcones. People also mention Coquelusédal.

@Jacana last week I went to France with my son for a boy‘s Week. We spend 5 days on the road, visited Paris and mostly had a blast till we both developed a cold and super sore throat - we could barely swallow it was so painful. We went to a pharmacy and got prescribed suppositories for the sore throat which also baffled me. I didn’t realize they were suppositories till we got to the b&b. I read up about it and decided to try it because the discomfort was extreme. They worked very well and I would love to buy some here in Germany again but sadly can’t find them here.

No opinion on suppositories, but nobody does enemas like the Germans.