V3I10P11

A REVIEW On Suppositories: Concepts, Types, Bases, Manufacturing and Therapeutic Applications 

Shaik Jafreen Kausar^1*, Ch. Vidyulatha²

Abstract

Suppositories are solid unit dosage forms designed for insertion into body cavities, most commonly the rectum or vagina, where they soften, melt, or dissolve and release an active pharmaceutical ingredient. They can provide local treatment or systemic drug delivery and are particularly useful when oral administration is difficult or unsuitable. The dosage form is strongly influenced by the choice of base, drug solubility, melting or dissolution characteristics, particle size, manufacturing method, storage conditions, and physiological environment. Conventional bases include lipophilic materials such as cocoa butter, hard fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils, and hydrophilic materials such as polyethylene glycol and glycerinated gelatin. This review discusses the principles of suppository formulation, types and properties of bases, methods of preparation, mechanisms of drug release, quality-control tests, packaging and stability, therapeutic applications, advantages and limitations, and recent approaches to improve drug delivery. Modern development increasingly emphasizes rational selection of excipients, controlled release, mucoadhesion, improved patient acceptability, and suitability for challenging climates. Although suppositories occupy a smaller market niche than many oral dosage forms, they remain valuable pharmaceutical systems for local and systemic therapy.

Keywords:

suppositories; rectal drug delivery; vaginal dosage forms; suppository bases; polyethylene glycol; cocoa butter; formulation; evaluation