The suppository form of antibiotic administration: pharmacokinetics and clinical application

The rectal route of antibiotic administration might be used effectively whe n other routes of administration are inadequate or unsuitable. With the use of various adjuvants, the rectal route can provide satisfactory pharmacoki netics and acceptable local tolerance. Experiments in animals have demonstr ated the influence of the pharmaceutical formulation of suppositories on th e rectal absorption and systemic distribution of beta-lactams and aminoglyc osides. In healthy volunteers and in children under treatment, similar adju vants-mainly glyceride mixtures or non-ionic surface agents-have increased the rectal absorption of aminopenicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides. O ther antibiotics, including metronidazole and cotrimoxazole, have been inve stigated in respect of their potential rectal administration.