Routes of Drug Administration Flashcards
Enteral administration
Drug is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
Type of enteral administration
Oral
Sublingual
Buccal
Rectal
Enteral Administration
- Oral
Administered by mouth
Most convenient route with best patient compliance
What % of patient compliance with oral administration?
40%
Enteral Administration
- Sublingual
Drug placed under the tongue
Enteral Administration
- Buccal
Drug placed btwn the cheek and gums
Parenteral Administration
Drug administration using a needle and syringe (or via IV infusion device)
Enteral Administration
- Rectal
Drug in suppository form used when patients are sedated, comatose, or unable to take drugs by mouth d/t protracted vomiting
Types of parenteral administration
Intravenous (i.v.)
Intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.)
Intrathecal (i.t.)
Epidural
Parenteral Administration
- Intravenous (i.v.)
Injected directly in the circulation via a vein
Bypasses the GIT and provides greater control over the dose of drug reaching the general circulation.
What is potentially the most dangerous parenteral route of administration?
Intravenous (i.v.)
Intravenous
- Infusion
Refers to the continuous administration of a drug i.v.
Parenteral Administration
- Intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c)
Suitable for treatment with drug solutions and suspensions within the muscles or beneath the skin.
Drugs are absorbed faster via i.m. or s.c.?
I.M. because of greater blood circulation to the muscle
Parenteral Administration
- Intrathecal (i.t.)
Injection of the drug into the subarachnoid space
Intrathecal (i.t) is useful for what?
Getting drugs into the CNS
Ex) meningitis
Parenteral Administration
- Epidural
Injection onto the dura mater
Why the intrathecal and epidural routes of administration are dangerous?
Could be introducing infections
Has to be in the right place or it can cause nerve damage
Inhalation Administration
Used to obtain localized or systemic effects
Types of inhalation administration
Localized
Systemic
Inhalation administration
- Localized
Effects on the respiratory tract is obtained when inhalation drugs are administered to treat asthma or rhinitis
Inhalation administration
- Systemic
The effect is observed when drugs enter the systemic circulation via inhalation (rapid route of administration)
Other routes of drug administration
Cutaneous
Intranasal
Types of cutaneous administration
Topical
Transdermal
Cutaneous administration
- Topical
Used when a local effect is desired
Topical
- examples
Cream
Ointments
Lotion
Gels
Cutaneous administration
- Transdermal
Application to the skin for systemic effect, usually via a transdermal patch for sustained delivery
Intranasal administration
Administration directly into the nose
