Glycerin

Name: Glycerin

Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Excessive bowel activity

Cramping pain

Rectal irritation

Tenesmus

Before Using glycerin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For glycerin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to glycerin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of glycerin in children with use in other age groups, glycerin is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Glycerin reduces water in the body, and there may be an increased risk that elderly patients taking it could become dehydrated.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking glycerin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using glycerin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Arsenic Trioxide

Using glycerin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Licorice

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of glycerin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus—Use of glycerin may increase the chance of dehydration (loss of too much body water)
  • Confused mental states or
  • Heart disease or
  • Kidney disease—Glycerin may make these conditions worse

Pronunciation

(GLIS er in)

Brand Names U.S.

  • Fleet Liquid Glycerin Supp [OTC]
  • Pedia-Lax [OTC]
  • Sani-Supp Adult [OTC]
  • Sani-Supp Pediatric [OTC]

Use Labeled Indications

Constipation: Relief of occasional constipation.

Mouth/throat irritation: Temporary relief of minor discomfort and protection of irritated areas in sore mouth and sore throat.

Dosing Adult

Constipation: Rectal: One adult suppository once daily as needed or as directed

Mouth/throat irritation: Oral: Apply a one-inch strip directly to tongue and oral cavity as needed

Administration

Oral: Apply gel to tongue and around inside and outside of tooth and gum surfaces; do not rinse out.

Rectal: Insert suppository high in the rectum and retain ~15 minutes; suppository does not need to melt to produce response

Storage

Store at room temperature; protect rectal products from heat.

Adverse Reactions

Frequency not defined.

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal cramps, rectal irritation, tenesmus

Patient Education

• Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)

• Patient may experience nausea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, burning, or rectal irritation. Have patient report immediately to prescriber severe abdominal pain, rectal pain, or rectal bleeding (HCAHPS).

• Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.

Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.

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