Routes of Drug Administration

Question 1

Enteral administration

Answer 1

Drug is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)

Question 2

Type of enteral administration

Answer 2

Oral
Sublingual
Buccal
Rectal

Question 3

Enteral Administration
- Oral

Answer 3

Administered by mouth
Most convenient route with best patient compliance

Question 4

What % of patient compliance with oral administration?

Answer 4

40%

Question 5

Enteral Administration
- Sublingual

Answer 5

Drug placed under the tongue

Question 6

Enteral Administration
- Buccal

Answer 6

Drug placed btwn the cheek and gums

Question 7

Parenteral Administration

Answer 7

Drug administration using a needle and syringe (or via IV infusion device)

Question 8

Enteral Administration
- Rectal

Answer 8

Drug in suppository form used when patients are sedated, comatose, or unable to take drugs by mouth d/t protracted vomiting

Question 9

Types of parenteral administration

Answer 9

Intravenous (i.v.)
Intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.)
Intrathecal (i.t.)
Epidural

Question 10

Parenteral Administration
- Intravenous (i.v.)

Answer 10

Injected directly in the circulation via a vein
Bypasses the GIT and provides greater control over the dose of drug reaching the general circulation.

Question 11

What is potentially the most dangerous parenteral route of administration?

Answer 11

Intravenous (i.v.)

Question 12

Intravenous
- Infusion

Answer 12

Refers to the continuous administration of a drug i.v.

Question 13

Parenteral Administration
- Intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c)

Answer 13

Suitable for treatment with drug solutions and suspensions within the muscles or beneath the skin.

Question 14

Drugs are absorbed faster via i.m. or s.c.?

Answer 14

I.M. because of greater blood circulation to the muscle

Question 15

Parenteral Administration
- Intrathecal (i.t.)

Answer 15

Injection of the drug into the subarachnoid space

Question 16

Intrathecal (i.t) is useful for what?

Answer 16

Getting drugs into the CNS
Ex) meningitis

Question 17

Parenteral Administration
- Epidural

Answer 17

Injection onto the dura mater

Question 18

Why the intrathecal and epidural routes of administration are dangerous?

Answer 18

Could be introducing infections
Has to be in the right place or it can cause nerve damage

Question 19

Inhalation Administration

Answer 19

Used to obtain localized or systemic effects

Question 20

Types of inhalation administration

Answer 20

Localized
Systemic

Question 21

Inhalation administration
- Localized

Answer 21

Effects on the respiratory tract is obtained when inhalation drugs are administered to treat asthma or rhinitis

Question 22

Inhalation administration
- Systemic

Answer 22

The effect is observed when drugs enter the systemic circulation via inhalation (rapid route of administration)

Question 23

Other routes of drug administration

Answer 23

Cutaneous
Intranasal

Question 24

Types of cutaneous administration

Answer 24

Topical
Transdermal

Question 25

Cutaneous administration
- Topical

Answer 25

Used when a local effect is desired

Question 26

Topical
- examples

Answer 26

Cream
Ointments
Lotion
Gels

Question 27

Cutaneous administration
- Transdermal

Answer 27

Application to the skin for systemic effect, usually via a transdermal patch for sustained delivery

Question 28

Intranasal administration

Answer 28

Administration directly into the nose