ROUTES OF DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
ROUTES OF DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
Classification
SYSTEMIC LOCAL
a. Skin topical
b. Intranasal
PARENTERAL c. Ocular drops
a. Injections d. Mucosal-throat,
ENTERAL 1. Intrevenous vagina, mouth,
a. Oral 2. Intramuscular ear
b. Sublingual 3. Subcutaneous e. Inhalational
c. Rectal 4. Intra-arterial f. Intradermal
5. Intra-articular
6. Intrathecal
7. Intradermal
b. Inhalational
c. Intradermal
Enteral; oral, sub-lingual
(buccal), rectal. Note soluble,
enteric coated or slow release
formulations
Parenteral; Different rates
of absorption, different
plasma peaks. Note iv
infusors
Skin; for local or systemic
effect - note patches
Lungs; inhalation; local
or systemic effect?
Vaginal; (usually local)
Eye; (usually local)
Factors Governing Choice of Route
• Physical & chemical properties of drug-
solid/liquid/gas; solubility, stability, PH, irritancy
• Site of desired action- localized and approachable
or generalized and non approachable
• Rate & extent of absorption from various
routes
• Effect of digestive juices & first pass effect
• Rapidity of the desired response-
emergency/routine
• Accuracy of dosage
• Condition of the patient- unconscious, vomiting
ORAL ROUTE
The most common route of drug
administration. Drug is given through oral
cavity.
ADVANTAGES
Safe
Convenient- self- administered,
pain free, noninvasive
and easy to take
Economical- compared to other
parentral routes
Usually good absorption- takes place along
the whole length of the GI tract
No need for sterilization
DISADVANTAGE
S Slow absorption
1. slow action - can not used
in
2. Irritable and unpalatable drugs- nausea and
vomiting
3. Cannot be used Unco-operative, vomiting
and unconscious patients
4. Some drugs destroyed
5. Sometimes inefficient drug absorbed,
some drugs are not absorbed like
streptomycin
6. First-pass effect- Due to Biotransformation
Syru
Dosage forms p
Capsules, powders
Tablets, spansules
Syrup, emulsion
Suspension, elixirs
Spansule
Hard- gelatin capsule Soft- gelatin capsule
SUBLINGUAL/ BUCCAL ROUTE
Tab or pellet containing the drug is placed under tongue
or crushed in mouth and spread over the buccal mucosa. Ex-
GTN, buprenorphine, desaminooxytocin
ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGES
S
•Drug absorption is •Unpalatable & bitter
quick drugs
•Quick termination •Irritation of oral
•First-pass avoided mucosa
•Can be self •Large quantities not
administered given
•Few drugs are
•Economical
absorbed
RECTAL ROUTE
- Drugs that are administered rectally as a suppository.
- In this form, a drug is mixed with a waxy substance that
dissolves or liquefies after it is inserted into the
rectum.
- ex- Diazepam, indomethacin, paraldehyde, ergotamine
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Used in children Inconvenient
Little or no first pass effect Absorption is slow and
(ext haemorrhoidal vein) erratic
Used in vomiting or Irritation or inflammation of
unconscious rectal mucosa can occur
Higher concentrations rapidly
achieved
PARENTERAL ROUTE
Direct delivery of drug in to systemic
circulation without intestinal mucosa
Intradermal (I.D.) (into skin)
Subcutaneous (S.C.) (into subcutaneous tissue)
Intramuscular (I.M.) (into skeletal muscle)
Intravenous (I.V.) (into veins)
Intra-arterial (I.A.) (into arteries)
Intrathecal (I.T.) (cerebrospinal fluids )
Intraperitoneal (I.P.) (peritoneal
cavity) Intra - articular (Synovial
fluids)
A)Intradermal – inj
into skin
B)Subcutaneous -
Absorption of drugs
from the subcutaneous
tissues
C)Intramuscular (IM)
drug injected into
skeletal muscle
D)Intravascular (IV)-
placing a drug directly
into the blood stream
PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION
Advantages Disadvantages
• high bioavailability – Infection
• Rapid action (emergency) – Sterilization.
• No first pass metabolism –Invasive
Suitable for assistance require
–Vomiting &unconsciousness – Pain
– Irritant & Bad taste drugs. – Needs skill
– No gastric irritation – Anaphylaxis
– No food-drug interaction – Expensive.
Dosage form:
Vial or ampoule
Ampoule iv infusion Vial
INTRAVENOUS ROUTE
ADVANTAGES
IV is the most common parenteral route. For drugs that are not
absorbed orally.
Avoids first-pass metabolism by the liver.
Intravenous delivery permits a rapid effect and a maximal degree
of control over the circulating levels of the drug. Titration of
dose with response.
large quantities can be given, fairly pain free
(100% bioavailability) Absorption phase is bypassed
DISADVANTAGES
However, unlike drugs in the GI tract, those that are injected
cannot be recalled by strategies such as emesis or by binding to
activated charcoal.
IV injection may also induce hemolysis or cause other
adverse
reactions by the too-rapid delivery of high concentrations of
drug
INTRAMUCULAR ROUTE
Large skeletal muscle- Deltoid, triceps, gluteus
maximus, rectus femoris
DISADVANTAGE
ADVANTAGE
S
S
Only upto 10ml
Absorption reasonably drug given
uniform
Local pain and
Rapid onset of
abcess Expensive
action Mild irritants
can be Infection
given Nerve
damage
First pass avoided
Local
Gastric factors can
hematoma
be
can
avoided
SUBCUTANEOUS ROUTE
Drug is deposited in loose subcutaneous tissue – rich
nerve
supply- irritant drugs cannot be inj. Less vascular-
slow absorption than im route
Avoid in shock pt –
vasoconstriction Only Small
volume can be injected
Subcutaneous injection minimizes the risks associated
with intravascular injection
Depot preparation can be injected- Dermojet,
Pellet implantation, Sialistic and biodegradable
implants
Intradermal Route
Inj into skin raising bleb – BCG Vaccine,
Sensitivity test
Intrathecal/intraventricular
TRANSDERMAL
This route of administration achieves systemic effects by application
of
drugs to the skin, usually via a transdermal medicated adhesive patch.
The rate of absorption can vary markedly, depending on the
physical characteristics of the drug (lipid soluble) and skin at the site
of application.
Slow effect (prolonged drug action)
This route is most often used for the sustained delivery of drugs,
such
as the antianginal drug nitroglycerin, the antiemetic scopolamine.
the nicotine patches
Site – Upper arm, chest,
abdomen, mastoid region
First pass effect avoided
Absorption- increase by
oily base, occlusive
dressing, rubbing
preparation
TOPICAL APPLICATION
Produce local effect to
Skin (percutaneous) e.g. allergy
testing, topical local anesthesia
Mucous membrane of respiratory
tract (Inhalation) e.g. asthma
Eye drops e.g. conjunctivitis
Ear drops e.g. otitis externa
Intranasal, e.g. decongestant nasal
spray
INHALATION
Advantages Disadvantages
• Mucous membrane of Only few
respiratory system drugs can be
• Rapid absorption used
(large surface area)
•Provide local action
• Minor systemic
effect
• Low bioavailability
• Less side effects.
• No first pass effect
Dosage form:
Nebulizer Atomizer
INTRANASAL
This route involves administration of drugs directly into
the nose. Agents include nasal decongestants such as the
anti- inflammatory corticosteroid.
Desmopressin is administered intranasally in the
treatment of diabetes insipidus; salmon calcitonin, a peptide
hormone used in the treatment of osteoporosis, is also
available as a nasal spray.
The abused drug, cocaine, is generally taken by
intranasal
sniffing.
Eye drops
SKIN- TOPICAL
Dermal - Oil or ointment for local
action Antiseptic cream and lotion
Sunscreen lotion and powders
