What is the Difference Between Bisacodyl and Glycerin Suppositories

The key difference between bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories is that bisacodyl suppositories are very effective than glycerin suppositories.

A suppository is a medical substance that comes in solid form in a roughly conical or cylindrical shape. It is designed in a way that it can be inserted into the rectum or vagina to dissolve and provide the appropriate outcome.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bisacodyl Suppository
3. What is Glycerin Suppository
4. Similarities – Bisacodyl and Glycerin Suppositories
5. Bisacodyl vs Glycerin Suppositories in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bisacodyl vs Glycerin Suppositories

What is Bisacodyl Suppository?

Bisacodyl suppositories are medical products that are used for treating constipation. However, there are mild products that can be used for the same purpose. This includes laxatives that are taken orally. It is advised to always use oral preparations whenever it is possible. Bisacodyl suppository works by increasing the amount of fluid in the intestines. Usually, bowel movements come after 15 to 60 minutes of use. However, the best way to treat constipation is by drinking plenty of fluids, eating high-fiber food, and exercising regularly. Moreover, it is not recommended to use this medication for children under six years.

This suppository is for rectal use only. It is important to refrigerate it before inserting it if the product feels softer. We can chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes or run cold water over it without removing the foil wrapper. After using, there can be side effects such as rectal irritation, burning, itching, mild abdominal discomfort, cramps, or nausea.

Bisacodyl is a chemical substance having the chemical formula C₂₂H₁₉NO₄. It is also named as Dulcolax, Brocalax, Bicol, etc. The molar mass of this compound is 361.4 g/mol. Usually, it can be found as an over-the-counter medication. It can be named a synthetic pyridinylmethylene diacetate ester derivative. It is a stimulant laxative. It appears as an off-white crystalline powder with particles having diameters less than 50 microns.

What is Glycerin Suppository?

Glycerin suppository is a medication that is used to relieve occasional constipation. It is a type of hyperosmotic laxative. This product tends to work by drawing water into the intestine. Usually, this drawing of water can initiate a bowel movement in about 15 to 60 minutes. Therefore, it is important to keep the suppository inside the body for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

There can be some side effects of using glycerin suppositories, such as upset stomach, stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, burning, and rectal irritation. This product should be used for rectal use only. Usually, when administered rectally, glycerin can exert a hygroscopic and local irritant action, which causes the drawing of water from the tissues into the feces, reflexively stimulating evacuation.

A glycerin suppository is made of a solid laxative that can melt at body temperature while the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. We can give the major composition of glycerin suppository as glycerol. Glycerol is a trihydroxy sugar molecule that can act as an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well. The chemical formula of glycerol is C₃H₈O₃.

What are the Similarities Between Bisacodyl and Glycerin Suppositories?

Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories help to relieve and treat constipation.
They are only for rectal use.
They can induce bowel movement in about 15 to 60 minutes.

What is the Difference Between Bisacodyl and Glycerin Suppositories?

Both bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories are important in reliving and treating constipation. Both these work by increasing the secretion of fluids to promote evacuation. The key difference between Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories is that bisacodyl suppositories are very effective than glycerin suppositories.

Below is a summary of the difference between Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Bisacodyl vs Glycerin Suppositories

Both bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories are important in relieving and treating constipation. The key difference between Bisacodyl and glycerin suppositories is that bisacodyl suppositories are very effective than glycerin suppositories.