Chapter 6- Routes of Administration

Question 1

ROUTE: oral

Answer 1

SHORT: (PO, p.o)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: (30-60 minutes)
INDICATIONS: whenever possible, safest, most convenient
EXAMPLES: analgesics, sedatives, hypnotics, antibiotics

Question 2

ROUTE: sublingual

Answer 2

SHORT: (s.l)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: several minutes
INDICATIONS: when rapid effect is desired
EXAMPLES: NTG (nitroglycerin) in angine pectoris

Question 3

ROUTE: buccal

Answer 3

SHORT: (bucc.)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: several minutes
INDICATIONS: convenient dosage form for certain drugs; may be used in unconscious patients
EXAMPLES: androgenic drugs

Question 4

ROUTE: rectal

Answer 4

SHORT: (p.r.)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: 15-30 minutes
INDICATIONS: when patients are unable to take oral medications and parenteral route is not indicated also for local effect
EXAMPLES: analgesics, antiemetics, laxatives

Question 5

ROUTE: transdermal

Answer 5

APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: 30-60 minutes
INDICATIONS: convenient dosage form, provides continuous absorption and systemic effects over extended time (hours, days, etc.)
EXAMPLES: nitroglycerin, estrogen, morphine

Question 6

ROUTE: subcutaneous

Answer 6

SHORT: (sq, s.c., subq., subcu)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: several minutes
INDICATIONS: for drugs that are inactive in gastrointestinal tract
EXAMPLES: insulin

Question 7

ROUTE: intramuscular

Answer 7

SHORT: (i.m, IM)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: several minutes
INDICATIONS: for drugs with poor oral absorption, when high blood levels are required, when rapid effect is desired
EXAMPLES: narcotic analgesics, antibiotics

Question 8

ROUTE:intravenous

Answer 8

SHORT: (i.v., IV)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: within 1 minute
INDICATIONS: in emergency situations, when immediate effect is desired, when large volumes need to be administers
EXAMPLES: IV fluids, nutrient supplementation, antibiotics, resuscitative drugs

Question 9

ROUTE: intraarterial

Answer 9

SHORT: (i.a.)
APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: within 1 minute
INDICATIONS: for local effects within specific target organs
EXAMPLES: cancer drugs

Question 10

ROUTE: intrathecal

Answer 10

APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: several minutes
INDICATIONS: for local effects within the spinal cord
EXAMPLES: spinal anesthesia

Question 11

ROUTE:inhalation

Answer 11

APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: within 1 minute
INDICATIONS: for local effects within respiratory tract
EXAMPLES: anti asthmatics, bronchodialators

Question 12

ROUTE: topical

Answer 12

APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: within 1 hour
INDICATIONS: for local effects on skin and mucous membrane of eye, ear, nose, mouth
EXAMPLES: creams, ointments, sprays, tinctures, lozenges

Question 13

ROUTE: vaginal

Answer 13

APPROXIMATE ONSET OF ACTION: 15-30 minutes
INDICATIONS: for local effect
EXAMPLES: creams, foams, suppositories