Enema Side Effects

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSafe UseWater Enema Side EffectsOli-Based Enema Side EffectsInteractionsUnsafe UseConstipation Treatments

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Safe Use

Water Enema Side Effects

Oli-Based Enema Side Effects

Interactions

Unsafe Use

Constipation Treatments

Enemasare used to relieveconstipationwhen laxatives or dietary measures aren’t working. A cleansing enema also is used to clear out the colon before a colonoscopy or other test. Intraditional Chinese medicine, retention enemas may be used as part of treatment.

While they can be safe and effective, water enemas have side effects, as do mineral oil products when used at home and/or 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

Plain water is used in some enemas but be sure to use a reputable product rather than making them at home. In some cases, the liquid used in an enema is just salt water or water mixed with baking soda. Some enemas contain a laxative.

Enema Kit Use: Water or OilIf 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.

Enema Kit Use: Water or Oil

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.

Water enemas can lead to side effects, which is a risk with all enema products. These side effects can include:

Side effects also depend on other factors, including underlying health conditions and age. In older adults, warm water enemas may be needed to treat fecal impaction or prepare for a procedure.

Water-based enemas are generally safer than soapy enemas that can damage the lining of the colon.They also can limit the effects of electrolyte imbalance.

Sodium Phosphate EnemasIn 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the repeated use of store-brand enemas containing sodium phosphate. It is especially dangerous for people over 55 and should never be used in children under age 2. It can lead tohyperphosphatemia—an electrolyte disorder that involves high phosphate levels and low calcium levels in the blood.

Sodium Phosphate Enemas

In 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the repeated use of store-brand enemas containing sodium phosphate. It is especially dangerous for people over 55 and should never be used in children under age 2. It can lead tohyperphosphatemia—an electrolyte disorder that involves high phosphate levels and low calcium levels in the blood.

How to Use an Enema Safely

The side effects of enemas that containmineral oil(like Fleet brands) are similar to other adverse reactions to an enema. You may experience stomach cramping or pain, or have nausea and diarrhea. This also can occur with aglycerinlaxative.

When you use a mineral oil enema, watch out for oily leakage from your rectum and general rectal irritation.

Some people may have a more serious and systemicallergic responseto oil-based enemas. People with a latex allergy, for example, should choose a latex-free product.

Call your healthcare provider or contact 911 if you experience:

Stop using a mineral oil enema if you don’t have a bowel movement within 15 minutes, and contact your healthcare provider for directions.Keep in mind, though, that how fast an enema or laxative works will depend on the specific product, like the 60-minute window for glycerin products (often used for children).

In older adults, mineral oil is considered a safer enema choice than phosphate enemas.Some products are sodium-free.

If you havehemorrhoids, 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. The overuse of laxatives is one cause of rectal prolapse.

Rectal Prolapse Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Enema products do have a few known drug interactions, often with drugs that regulate fluid and electrolytes in your body or affect the kidneys (since enema products shift your body’s fluids to aid in passing stool).

These medications can includenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) and diuretics likeLasix(furosemide). They also can include the following blood pressure medications:

Coffee, Herbs, and Other Enemas

Complications and Warnings

Using an enema at home always comes with certain risks. An enema-related perforation is rare but it can result in serious and potentially fatal injury, includingsepsis(a serious blood infection).

Other risks may include:

Colon Hydrotherapy: Are Cleansings Safe and Effective?

Safe Alternatives

Water-based enemas and mineral oil enemas should be a last resort for treating constipation. In most cases, constipation can be relieved with lifestyle changes, such as:

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.

When Is Constipation Considered an Emergency?

Summary

Enemas can create a health risk when performed at home or repeatedly. They must be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider to avoid complications. Keep in mind that in some cases constipation can be a sign of a serious condition, such as neurological problems orcolon cancer.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before attempting to give yourself an enema at home. They can provide information about lifestyle changes, medication, and other interventions to improve digestion.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Liang X, Wen L, Wu Y, Hao Y, Wang S, Hu X.Retention enema with traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic encephalopathy: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine. 2020;99(40):e22517. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000022517.Sozutek A, Tas EY, Yener K, Ozcomert J.Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) for the treatment of rectal perforation following cleansing enema application.Cureus. 2023 Mar 9;15(3):e35939. doi:10.7759/cureus.35939Jayasinghe M, Prathiraja O, Caldera D, Jena R, Coffie-Pierre JA, Silva MS,et al.Colon cancer screening methods: 2023 update.Cureus. 2023 Apr 12;15(4):e37509. doi:10.7759/cureus.37509Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, Kim S, Lee T, Jung Y,et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Yang Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Lv J, Huang Q.Effects of different intervention methods on intestinal cleanliness in children undergoing colonoscopy.J Healthc Eng. 2022;2022:1-7. doi:10.1155/2022/1898610Mounsey A, Raleigh M, Wilson A.Management of constipation in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):500-504.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation.Fleetlabs.Enemas.Fleetlabs.Mineral oil enema safety warnings.de Geus A, Koppen IJN, Flint RB, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM.An update of pharmacological management in children with functional constipation.Paediatr Drugs. 2023 May;25(3):343-358. doi: 10.1007/s40272-023-00563-0Cedars Sinai.Rectal prolapse.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: A systematic review of case reports.Medicine. 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998Additional ReadingNiv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable.Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S44417

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Liang X, Wen L, Wu Y, Hao Y, Wang S, Hu X.Retention enema with traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic encephalopathy: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine. 2020;99(40):e22517. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000022517.Sozutek A, Tas EY, Yener K, Ozcomert J.Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) for the treatment of rectal perforation following cleansing enema application.Cureus. 2023 Mar 9;15(3):e35939. doi:10.7759/cureus.35939Jayasinghe M, Prathiraja O, Caldera D, Jena R, Coffie-Pierre JA, Silva MS,et al.Colon cancer screening methods: 2023 update.Cureus. 2023 Apr 12;15(4):e37509. doi:10.7759/cureus.37509Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, Kim S, Lee T, Jung Y,et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Yang Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Lv J, Huang Q.Effects of different intervention methods on intestinal cleanliness in children undergoing colonoscopy.J Healthc Eng. 2022;2022:1-7. doi:10.1155/2022/1898610Mounsey A, Raleigh M, Wilson A.Management of constipation in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):500-504.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation.Fleetlabs.Enemas.Fleetlabs.Mineral oil enema safety warnings.de Geus A, Koppen IJN, Flint RB, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM.An update of pharmacological management in children with functional constipation.Paediatr Drugs. 2023 May;25(3):343-358. doi: 10.1007/s40272-023-00563-0Cedars Sinai.Rectal prolapse.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: A systematic review of case reports.Medicine. 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998Additional ReadingNiv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable.Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S44417

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Liang X, Wen L, Wu Y, Hao Y, Wang S, Hu X.Retention enema with traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic encephalopathy: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine. 2020;99(40):e22517. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000022517.Sozutek A, Tas EY, Yener K, Ozcomert J.Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) for the treatment of rectal perforation following cleansing enema application.Cureus. 2023 Mar 9;15(3):e35939. doi:10.7759/cureus.35939Jayasinghe M, Prathiraja O, Caldera D, Jena R, Coffie-Pierre JA, Silva MS,et al.Colon cancer screening methods: 2023 update.Cureus. 2023 Apr 12;15(4):e37509. doi:10.7759/cureus.37509Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, Kim S, Lee T, Jung Y,et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Yang Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Lv J, Huang Q.Effects of different intervention methods on intestinal cleanliness in children undergoing colonoscopy.J Healthc Eng. 2022;2022:1-7. doi:10.1155/2022/1898610Mounsey A, Raleigh M, Wilson A.Management of constipation in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):500-504.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation.Fleetlabs.Enemas.Fleetlabs.Mineral oil enema safety warnings.de Geus A, Koppen IJN, Flint RB, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM.An update of pharmacological management in children with functional constipation.Paediatr Drugs. 2023 May;25(3):343-358. doi: 10.1007/s40272-023-00563-0Cedars Sinai.Rectal prolapse.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: A systematic review of case reports.Medicine. 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998

Liang X, Wen L, Wu Y, Hao Y, Wang S, Hu X.Retention enema with traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic encephalopathy: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine. 2020;99(40):e22517. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000022517.

Sozutek A, Tas EY, Yener K, Ozcomert J.Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) for the treatment of rectal perforation following cleansing enema application.Cureus. 2023 Mar 9;15(3):e35939. doi:10.7759/cureus.35939

Jayasinghe M, Prathiraja O, Caldera D, Jena R, Coffie-Pierre JA, Silva MS,et al.Colon cancer screening methods: 2023 update.Cureus. 2023 Apr 12;15(4):e37509. doi:10.7759/cureus.37509

Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, Kim S, Lee T, Jung Y,et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087

Yang Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Lv J, Huang Q.Effects of different intervention methods on intestinal cleanliness in children undergoing colonoscopy.J Healthc Eng. 2022;2022:1-7. doi:10.1155/2022/1898610

Mounsey A, Raleigh M, Wilson A.Management of constipation in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):500-504.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA drug safety communication: FDA warns of possible harm from exceeding recommended dose of over-the-counter sodium phosphate products to treat constipation.

Fleetlabs.Enemas.

Fleetlabs.Mineral oil enema safety warnings.

de Geus A, Koppen IJN, Flint RB, Benninga MA, Tabbers MM.An update of pharmacological management in children with functional constipation.Paediatr Drugs. 2023 May;25(3):343-358. doi: 10.1007/s40272-023-00563-0

Cedars Sinai.Rectal prolapse.

Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: A systematic review of case reports.Medicine. 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998

Niv G, Grinberg T, Dickman R, Wasserberg N, Niv Y.Perforation and mortality after cleansing enema for acute constipation are not rare but are preventable.Int J Gen Med. 2013 Apr 26;6:323-8. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S44417

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