Country differences about suppositories

While browsing the forums, I made an observation. See, I’m German, so I mostly follow the German forum on suppositories. Over there, many of the childhood memories center on fever suppositories, whereas here it seems more focused on laxatives.

In Germany, at least in the 1980s and early 1990s, when I grew up, it was totally common to administer fever medicine to children – even older ones, not just toddlers – in suppository form. I for one only got suppositories against fever, but that happened recurrently. In the German forum, many seem to share the memory, even down to the exact same brand.

It seems fever suppositories were not a common thing in English-speaking countries, I guess?

@nyny It is also my experience that, on this site, people from countries such as German, Italy and, especially, France, mention receiving non-laxative drugs as suppositories when growing up , and not only as little children, whereas people from the US mention receiving suppositories only for laxative purposes (and sometimes for anti-emetics).

@Jacana Any theories as to why that might be? Was it just marketing? Bene, the company who introduced paracetamol (acetaminophen) into the German market in the 1960s, made suppositories in different dosages for kids of all age groups, including the ones for kids age 6 – 12, which feature in my memories. And I think they advertised them as particular suitable form of administration. I vaguely remember print ads and always being very embarrassed just seeing them.

I am originally from South Africa, been living in Germany for 15 years. I remember Valoid suppositories for nausea, and when fever got really bad and wouldn’t work with oral meds, it went up the other end, but mostly as a last resort. Rectal absorption we were told was superior and was used sparingly for cases where we didnt respond to oral meds. We lived in fear of those little wax bullets and often down played our symptoms to avoid it. But we all got them and we discussed it on the playground. When I ask for suppository form today, my doctor thinks I am crazy. It defiantly fell out of fassion and is rarely used in cases of constipation.

@nyny My understanding is that people used to believe that in terms of efficiency, oral medicine < suppository < injection.

@Jacana

The explanation that my mom always gave is that it would be easier on my stomach. Perhaps, for her it was good to know that, once she managed to put it in, the suppository would be guaranteed to work. And maybe she believed syrup would not be as sure to work. For me, it was still terrible.

But still, why did moms elsewhere not believe that?

@DeDude

In my case, with fever suppositories, there was little chance of downplaying. When my mother decided that my fever wouldn’t react to home remedies (such as cold compresses), a suppository it was. Regardless of whether I protested.

@nyny my mom was similar to @Jacana mom. Oral meds, suppository, injection. My mom told me it’s more effective and even works when ur throwing up. she never said it would be easier on my stomach. It usually went up the other end when we were nauseas or threw up. We believed suppositories were the big guns. When I protested my mom also threatened to take me to the doctor where I would probably get a shot. For me fever progression was always, fever > headache > nausea > vomiting. Even today. The trick is to stop the progression early enough. Mom usually tries the oral meds first, and if the fever didn’t some down or I was already nauseas, we went the other route. She didn’t mess around for long debating. Soon I would be holding my legs back and she’d be pushing one of those little waxy offenders up my rear.

I grew up in Argentina, if I had a low fever I took oral medication, but above 38 degrees my mother already opted for suppositories. I always tried to avoid it, but I ended up with the suppository inserted even crying. This happened even though I was 12 or 13 years old. The fever soon subsided with the suppository, it was very effective.

@Anne20:

Okay, so in Argentina fever suppositories for older kids were also a thing. Didn’t know that. Did you mom explain why it was suppositories for higher fevers, even though you clearly did not like getting them?

They were common, in my house we always used a lot of suppositories. My mother believed they were more efficient, she said that if I didn't put the suppository I would need an injection. Today I like suppositories and I think they are more efficient.

I remember that when I took oral medicine the fever came back after a few hours, with the suppository sometimes I stayed all day without fever. I think this contributes to the choice of suppositories.

We also got suppositories well into our teens. I remember breaking my arm round about 15 and doc swapped to Suppe after the a couple of days of oral meds that made me 🤮 I have a super sensitive stomach. We just stuck with them because they are effective and work well even Today. From about 14 I was allowed to administer them myself under supervision. Breaking my arm was the turning point for me - it was super painful and I didn’t argue about the supps, I asked for them when I felt the pain coming back.

@nyny Something I've understood in adult age, including by reading this site and other sites, is that medicine is highly cultural. One might think that it is based on science, that humans are roughly the same everywhere and thus things should be quite uniform, but this is not the case; though I think things are now more uniform with respect to treatments and procedures that they used to be. Thinks also about how rectal temperatures were used differently in the US and Europe; also how certain countries came to circumcise almost all boys for "hygiene".

I remember visiting a friend of mine who was taking French immersion in France back in the early 70's , He had a sore throat, went to the Doc. and ended up with suppositories. I had never heard of them being used for that in Canada.

@ronniewater I can confirm receiving suppositories for throat ache in childhood (and disliking them). They have largely fallen out of fashion. I think they also existed in Quebec.

I grew up in Oregon, and there was a French family who recently moved in across the street. I was 13 at the time, and they had a daughter one year older than me, and we became friends.

She could speak enough English that I could understand her. One time after she had been sick, she told me that her mother always took her temperature in her behind and if she had a fever, she would be given a suppository.

@Vicki_V

She could speak enough English that I could understand her. One time after she had been sick, she told me that her mother always took her temperature in her behind and if she had a fever, she would be given a suppository.

Oh wow. While suppositories were the topic of hushed embarrassed conversations amongst my childhood friends, I would never have openly confessed that I got them.

@Vicki_V 14 would I think be somewhat old in France for that (rectal temperature from mom, suppository from mom) ! I'm surprised that the girl mentioned it, I think most would have died of shame (14 is an age where girls like to act adult, don't they?). I certainly did not mention to my friends I was getting suppositories and a panty liner to catch them leaking.

In Italy they were once used much more frequently, now they are only used for children or adolescents, for adults tablets or injections are preferred

In the US, you generally find acetaminophen and aspirin suppositories are kept refrigerated behind the counter in the pharmacy. Purchase requires approaching the pharmacist or clerk at the counter. Acetaminophen suppositories can be purchased at most pharmacies in my area. Aspirin is not as popular due to potential adverse effects in children and adolescents with viral infections.

-- Some reasons for the lack of popularity of suppositories in the US include:

-- Ready availability of oral drops

-- Drops and tablets are more readily accepted by the patient

-- Viral infections in infants and children often include recurring diarrhea

-- Suppositories are more expensive and require purchase of finger cots or gloves and lubricants.

-- Patient comfort, most find suppository insertion unpleasant or even painful, especially if there is recurring diarrhea.

In UK suppository are used for lot medical treatment not just laxative