Lecture 13A - Oral Administration

Question 1

What is the most frequently used route for drug administration?

Answer 1

oral

Question 2

What is oral administration intended for?

Answer 2

systemic effects

Question 3

Where does drug absorption of oral drugs occur?

Answer 3

through the epithelia and mucosa of the GI tract

Question 4

Advantages of oral administration?

Answer 4

the simplest, most convenient and safest means of drug administration

Question 5

Dsiadvantages of oral administration?

Answer 5

possibility of irregular absorption of certain drugs

Question 6

Formulation types of oral administration?

Answer 6

solid and liquid formulations

Question 7

Advantages of tablets?

Answer 7

accurate dosing of the drug

convenient to handle

easy to take

controlled release of the drug

Question 8

Disadvantages of tablets?

Answer 8

poor bioavailability of some drugs

local irritant effects to the GI mucosa

Question 9

Examples of tablets?

Answer 9

phenoxymethylpenicillin (tonsillitis, otitis, rheumatic fever)

voriconazole (invasive aspegillosis)

Question 10

Advantages of capsules?

Answer 10

accurate dosing of the drug (reproducible dose)

drug released faster than for tablets

use of colour for identification

easy to swallow shape

shell masks the taste of the fill

good patient compliance

Question 11

Disadvantages of capsules?

Answer 11

bulky materials can result in large capsule size

susceptible to moisture

not suitable for the administration of drugs which are inactivated in the stomach

Question 12

What should be used for drugs inactivated in the stomach?

Answer 12

benzylpenicillin, erythromycin

enteric coated tablets

Question 13

Examples of capsules?

Answer 13

amoxicillin (lyme disease)

ampicillin (bronchitis, listeria meningitis)

tetracycline (acne)

Question 14

Advantages of powders?

Answer 14

can be intermediary for drugs normally administered as a solution or suspension

reconstituted just before use to avoid chemical degradation

fast dissolution rate than tablets or capsules (faster drug release)

Question 15

Disadvantages of powders?

Answer 15

not suitable for the administration of drugs inactivated in the stomach

less convenient to carry and to self administer as liquid preparations than tablets or capsules

Question 16

Examples of drugs given as powders?

Answer 16

amoxicillin (lyme disease, H pylori infection)

Question 17

Advantages of suspensions?

Answer 17

drug absorption faster than with tablets or capsules

convenient when the drug is not soluble in water and when non-aqueous solvent cannot be used

the insoluble solids act as a reservoir

Question 18

What do suspensions provide?

Answer 18

slow and prolonged release of the drug

Question 19

Disadvantages of suspensiosn?

Answer 19

risk of sedimentation

formation of a cake is impossible to disperse

Question 20

Examples of suspensions?

Answer 20

amoxicillin (lyme disease, H pylori infection)

posaconazole (invasive aspergillus)

Question 21

Advantages of syrups?

Answer 21

drug is already dissolved so absorption is faster than solid dosage forms or suspensions

mask of unpleasant taste of the drug (flavourings)

east to adjust dose for childs weight

Question 22

Disadvantages of syrups?

Answer 22

risk of deterioration faster than solid dosage forms

inaccuracy in the doses taken by the patient measuring the dose with a spoon

Question 23

Examples of syrups?

Answer 23

flucloxacillin (otitis externa)