Routes of Drug Administration

Question 1

Oral (PO)

Answer 1

30 to 60 Mins
Whenever possible, the safest and most convenient route
Most medications - aspirin, sedatives, hypnotics, antibiotics

Question 2

Sublingual

Answer 2

Several Minutes
When rapid effects are needed
Nitroglycerin in angina pectoris

Question 3

Buccal

Answer 3

Several minutes
Convenient dosage form for certain drugs
Androgenic drugs

Question 4

Rectal

Answer 4

15 to 30 minutes
When patient cannot take oral medications and parenteral is not indicated, also for local efforts
Analgesics, laxatives

Question 5

Transdermal

Answer 5

30 to 60 minutes
Convenient dosage form that provides continuous absorption and systemic effects over many hours
Nitroglycerin, estrogen

Question 6

Subcutaneous (SC)

Answer 6

Several minutes
For drugs that are inactivated by the GI Tract
Insulin

Question 7

Intramuscular (IM)

Answer 7

Several minutes
For drugs that have poor oral absorption, when high blood levels are required, and when rapid effects are desired.
Narcotic analgesics, antibiotics

Question 8

Intravenous (IV)

Answer 8

Within 1 minute
In emergency situations, where immediate effects are required, also when medications are administered by infusion
IV Fluids (dextrose), nutrient supplementation, antibiotics

Question 9

Intraarterial

Answer 9

Within 1 minute
For local effects within an internal organ
Cancer Drugs

Question 10

Intrathecal

Answer 10

Several Minutes
For local effects within the spinal cord
Spinal anesthesia and lidocaine

Question 11

Inhalation

Answer 11

Within 1 minute
For local effects within the respiratory tract
Antiasthmatic medication such as epinephrine

Question 12

Topical

Answer 12

Within 1 hour
for local effects on the skin, eye, or ear
Cream and ointments

Question 13

Vaginal

Answer 13

15 to 30 minutes
For local effects
Creams, foams, and suppositories