Dear Doctor, 

My baby had temperature. When we went to the hospital, they gave him a pill to insert in the butt and reduce the heat. Are these pills safe?

Hellen

Dear Hellen,

Your baby could have been given paracetamol suppositories to reduce fever. Suppositories are conical or cylindrical medicine coated devices which are inserted in body spaces like rectum or vagina, for therapeutic use.

Babies are commonly given paracetamol suppositories to reduce fever and glycerin suppositories are given to cure constipation.

In a sick baby who is vomiting, irritable or fidgety, giving tablets or syrup orally becomes difficult. Suppositories form a better alternative to give medication to the baby effectively. Moreover the absorption of paracetamol in suppository form is comparatively faster than when taken orally. Inserted correctly, it is effective and safe.

However, before inserting a suppository, it should be checked whether the baby has any ulcer or wound on the anus or around, because that can be aggravated during insertion and hurt the baby more.

If inserted wrongly, it will not be effective. Insertion by unclean hands or over unclean surface can lead to local infection. This can cause swelling, redness, painful blisters or boils. A baby can rarely have allergy to any one or more of the components used in the suppository. This can manifest in form of itchy skin rashes, sweating, breathlessness. In severe cases there can be fatal shock.

It is advisable to use a suppository first time under supervision of a doctor or nurse and learn how to insert it correctly. Hands should be cleaned before insertion.

Dr Rachna Pande  is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital