Antibiotic suppositories nhs

[alex1985]

Has anyone recently been able to get antibiotic suppositories prescribed by their NHS GP in the UK?

Have you asked the gp

😂 Not yet but intend to. Right now, i'm asking here for people's lived experiences.

This is a very uncommon route to be using For antibiotics, if someone is recommending it they would normally be responsible for prescribing it too. If the GP are in uncertainty they could contact paediatric department / paediatric pharmacist for advice.

It's a common solution for anyone unable to take medication orally. Pain killers are readily available via the nhs in suppository form but, although antibiotics are readily available privately/in the rest of europe, the nhs doesn't mention this form in their guidance. Will be discussing with GP but like to be prepared for any potential obstacles.

Which antibiotic are you after specifically? I'm not aware of any that are actually available in England, they will be ridiculously expensive to import as a special

Whatever is deemed suitable for treating the usual bacterial infections in children. Just need a solution where liquid/tabs aren't an option.

The only antibiotics I know that come as suppositories are metronidazole and clindamycin (and that might actually be a pessary). While there may well be others they are not easily available and likely to be prohibitively expensive (yes, we do have to consider cost when prescribing)

Administering medication via suppository is far more common in Europe than the UK. It is not a common route of administration for us so even if you do find a doctor willing to prescribe it, you will not manage to source the drug unless willing to pay £££ privately.

A pp mentioned metronidazole, this is available in suppository form here but not used to treat common infections in children. It’s most effective against specific bacteria and they are not the ones that cause most children’s infections

Thanks :) Are you a gp? We have no way of getting liquid or tablet medication in a 4 year old non-speaking child with diagnosed autism, so looking for options when it comes to pain relief and fighting bacterial infections.

I am a pharmacist. Methods that have worked with children when I worked at GOSH included mixing in yoghurt, undiluted squash, ice cream, sprinkling capsule contents on yoghurt/ice cream. There is a website called medicinesforchildren which gives good advice

As you know, paracetamol comes in suppository and is used

With our non verbal ds all medication is put into his juice.

Thanks - familiar with the site and all 'hiding' options exhausted, he has incredibly strong tastebuds.

I feel for you, it's be really hard. We've had a few different ones and some were vile. What have you been prescribed? Fluclox was the worst, followed by clindamycin. Amoxicillin was the best, but it all depends on what the causative bacteria is, not all antibiotics work for all types of bacteria. I would go back to GP and ask for help, explain that its not your typical 'just don't like the taste' but an actual sensory issue. Good luck!

@alex1985 I do feel your pain as my son won't take antibiotics hidden in anything. To be honest you can still taste them so I understand why!

So far we have been lucky and infections have cleared up before it got to crisis point, but hospital let us know they would do it by IV if necessary.

We get paracetamol suppositories too. Every doctor I've chatted to about suppositories says they're very common in Europe but the UK not so much. People are squeamish. Never asked about antibiotic ones, would be interested to know!

You might be better approaching a private travel clinic with the prescription and seeing if they can find an EU pharmacist who fill the prescription. I imagine it would be costly though.

Possibly cheaper to fly to Paris and have prescription filled in a pharmacy yourself.

no, not common in the Uk AT ALL.

in france there is more rectal administration but in the uk, shirt of glycerol and emergency benzo for fits, little is given rectally to a child.

Does he like toffee yoghurt? That is supposed to be the best for disguising taste of medicines.

I remember the joys of getting prednisolone into a 3 year old. It took 3 adults!!! On the other hand one of mine grew to like fluclox!

I have lived experience of common prescription of pain killer suppositories in the UK when there is no alternative or it is the better option. Both for children and adults. I’m only after info from other people who have been prescribed suppository antibiotics or at least had the conversation about them. I’ve had a number of inbox messages confirming they are readily availably should the situation and condition warrant it.

This is very unlikely from GP prescribing. They are not available freely to order from manufacturers in this country, therefore would have to be made by special manufacturers - lead times can be 1-3 days or longer which would be unsuitable for treating many infections as you would want to start antibiotics ASAP.

Most antibiotics are available for infusion via IV. Some hospitals may have ability to make suppositories on site if needed - however IV route is more likely due to speed.

Googling suggests this isn't just a UK issue, there aren't suppository formulations made of most antibiotics full stop. I can find articles showing people are trying to develop them but none that say they are in production or prescribed abroad.

GPs can only prescribe what is available. The British National Formulary for Children tells you what is available. Like PP have said, most of the common antibiotics for children are not available in suppository form in the UK.

Since for most antibiotics you need to take multiple doses for several days, I would think it would be hard to deliver that rectally without very reliable modified release properties (and even then probably have to give every day? Most people would not be keen which probably affects the size of the market for the product to exist).

I am fascinated to know who these messages are from and what their experience is. As I said, I am a pharmacist who worked at GOSH - I have a very good working knowledge of what is available to be prescribed in the UK for children in both primary and secondary care. I am also aware of the different dosage forms available in UK and EU. Naturally I have had to advise on children who refuse oral medication and are non-verbal and suppositories were not the back up for antibiotics. They are commonly used for other instances such as pain relief, constipation and seizure control.

I seriously doubt the advice you have received via private messages will lead to your child receiving what you want