How many enemas can you do in a week

Fleet Enema is a combination medicine used in adults and children to treat constipation and to clean the bowel before colon surgery, x-rays, or endoscopy examinations.

Fleet Enema may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use Fleet Enema without a doctor's advice if you have kidney disease, heart problems, or constipation with stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting.

Using too much of this medicine can cause rare but life-threatening side effects on your kidneys and heart.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you have:

• kidney disease;

• heart problems; or

• constipation with stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if:

• you've had a sudden change in bowel habits during the past 2 weeks or longer;

• you've used any laxative within the past 7 days;

• you are on a low-salt diet; or

• you are 55 or older.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Never use an adult-strength enema in a child younger than 12 years old. Do not use this medicine in a child younger than 2 years old.

How should I use rectal Fleet Enema?

Using too much of Fleet Enema can cause rare but life-threatening side effects on your kidneys and heart.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take the rectal enema by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.

When using this medicine in a child 2 to 11 years old, use only a formula that is specially made for children.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Fleet Enema should cause you to have a bowel movement within 1 to 5 minutes.

Do not use more than 1 enema in any 24-hour period. If you do not get any results within 30 minutes after using this medicine, call your doctor before using another dose.

Do not use this medicine for longer than 3 days without medical advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Each disposable enema is for one use only.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Fleet Enema does not have a daily dosing schedule. Do not use more than 1 enema in any 24-hour period. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, especially if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

What should I avoid while taking rectal Fleet Enema?

Avoid using any other laxatives with Fleet Enema, unless your doctor tells you to.

Rectal Fleet Enema side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of Fleet Enema may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect rectal Fleet Enema?

Other drugs may affect Fleet Enema, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Enemas are sometimes used for constipation when other measures like laxatives or dietary measures aren't working. They are also used to clear out the colon before a colonoscopy or other test.

While they can be safe and effective, enemas do have risks when performed at home, or if they're used too frequently. Sometimes, they can cause serious complications such as bowel perforation or sepsis, a life-threatening condition due to infection.

This article will explain when enemas are used, as well as the risks and possible complications of using them. It will also offer alternative ways to reduce constipation.

Safe Use of Enemas

Enemas work by getting fluid into your large intestine so it can soften up your stool and help it pass. The fluid is administered into the rectum and large intestine through the anus. Enemas are used for a variety of reasons:

• Before tests: One or more enemas might be used before having a test such as a colonoscopy, to clear the large intestine of all stool.
• During x-rays of the colon: To get the large intestine to show up better on an x-ray, healthcare providers use barium enemas. Barium is a metallic substance that coats the lining of your colon. This makes it easier to detect abnormalities, such as colon cancer.
• To deliver medication: Certain medications can be delivered directly to the rectum or the sigmoid colon (the lowest part of the large intestine) as a treatment for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• To relieve constipation: Enemas can effectively relieve occasional constipation when nothing else works.
  

Enema Kits

If your healthcare provider recommends an at-home enema, you can buy an over-the-counter enema kit. Most of them contain water and salt, mineral oil, or a mild laxative.

Purchase the kind your healthcare provider recommends. Don't add anything to it and make sure you follow the directions carefully. Don't try to put together a "DIY" enema using your own supplies or liquids.

How to Use an Enema Safely

Unsafe Use of Enemas

Using an enema at home always comes with certain risks. Risks of a single enema include:

• Damage to or perforation (puncturing) of rectum or intestines due to stretching
• Disruption of the natural microflora in your gut
• Pain caused by using liquid that is too hot or cold
• Introducing too much liquid, which may stay in the body and come out without warning
• Infection introduced by equipment that's not sterile. This is especially a problem for people with autoimmune diseases or an otherwise compromised immune system.

An enema-related perforation can result in sepsis (a serious blood infection), which one study found is fatal about 4% of the time.

Repeated Use

The repeated use of enemas can, over time, cause serious problems, such as:

• Weakening the muscles of the intestine so you're dependent on enemas to have a bowel movement
• A condition called hyponatremia, or water intoxication, which is an imbalance of electrolytes that occurs when the body does not have enough sodium. In severe cases, it can cause confusion, seizures, and coma.

One type of enema sometimes used in alternative medicine is called a high colonic or colon hydrotherapy. These are invasive and can be harmful if you use them to clear out stool on a regular basis.

Colon Hydrotherapy: Pros & Cons

Contraindications

If you have hemorrhoids, enemas may cause extra pain. If you have a rectal prolapse (in which the end of the lower intestine protrudes from the rectum), you should avoid using an enema.

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the repeated use of enemas containing sodium phosphate. These are found in some store brands, including the Fleet Enema. The sodium phosphate enema is especially dangerous for people over 55 and should never be used in children under two years old. It can lead to hyperphosphatemia—an electrolyte disorder that involves high phosphate levels and low calcium levels in the blood. This can lead to pain, rash, muscle cramps, intermittent spasms, kidney and liver damage, and (rarely) death.

Fad Enemas

A lot of people tout at-home enemas, often with "special" ingredients, for cleansing your bowel, improving digestive health, or other supposed benefits. These types of enemas are not recommended by the medical community.

Fad enemas may contain coffee, herbs, minerals such as Epsom salts, soap suds, acidic solutions, and more. In addition to the regular risks of enemas, these fad enemas can cause:

• Disruption of gut bacteria
• Electrolyte disturbances
• Severe dehydration that can be fatal
• Rectal burns, inflammation, and infection that can be fatal
• Internal bleeding that leads to blood transfusion and possibly removal of your colon

Never use ingredients that have not been approved by your healthcare provider to give yourself an enema.

Safe Treatments for Constipation

Again, an enema should be a last resort for treating constipation. In most cases, constipation can be relieved with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Adding fiber to your diet
• Exercising
• Drinking more water

Over-the-counter laxatives may be an option for you, but they also come with risks. Talk to your healthcare provider about them, especially if you have regular constipation.

How Constipation Is Treated

Summary

Enemas work by releasing liquid into the colon and large intestine via a tube inserted into the anus. Enemas are used before tests, such as a colonoscopy, which requires a clear view of the colon. They are also used to relieve constipation sometimes when other measures have not been successful. Enemas can be dangerous when performed at home or repeatedly. They must be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider to avoid complications.

A Word From Verywell

If treatments such as dietary measures or laxatives have not relieved your constipation, you might want to consider using an enema. Always talk to your healthcare provider before attempting to give yourself an enema at home. They can help you choose the right one and give you advice on how to use it properly and safely. Keep in mind that in some cases constipation can be a sign of a serious condition, such as neurological problems or colon cancer. If you have repeated bouts of constipation that are hard to relieve, especially if they are followed by diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are enemas safe for babies?

  The FDA warns against using sodium phosphate enemas (commonly found over-the-counter) in babies under two years old due to the possibility of serious complications.

• How much water is safe to use for enemas?

  Always follow the package directions when preparing an enema. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions.

  How frequently can you use an enema?

  How often can an enema be used to relieve symptoms? The enema can be used up to three days in a row before consulting a physician. If you have not received relief after three days of use, please contact your doctor. Using more than one enema within 24 hours can be harmful.

  Can you use two enemas in a week?

  No, you should never use more that 1 dose of saline enema (Fleet Enema) in 24 hours. If 1 enema is not enough, you should contact your healthcare provider. If you wish, you can use 1 enema two days in a row.

  Is it OK to use an enema every day?

  Long-term, regular use of enemas can cause electrolyte imbalances. Temporary side effects of enemas can include bloating and cramping. Enemas can also affect the balance of microbiota in your gut.

  How many days a week can you do an enema?

  A phosphate solution enema attracts water into the bowel to soften the hardened feces. Remember that too much phosphate in your body may cause health risks. So never go for more than one enema a day.