PATIENTS ATTITUDES TO RECTAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION

One hundred adult patients attending for day case surgery were surveye d by anonymous questionnaire in order to determine their attitudes to rectal drug administration. Fifty four patients did not want an analge sic drug (diclofenac sodium) administered rectally whilst under anaest hesia, all preferring to take it orally if available. Ninety eight pat ients thought that drugs administered per rectum should always be disc ussed with them beforehand and a few had very strong feelings about th is route of administration. We suggest that prescribers of rectal dicl ofenac should always discuss it with patients per-operatively. Whilst many are happy to have suppositories, some young patients are sensitiv e about this and prefer to take such medication by mouth.