TOPIC 4: Routes of Drug Administration

• Systemic route:

  1. Enteral - oral, sublingual, rectal
  2. Parenteral - Injections: IM, IV, SC, ID Intra-articular, Intrathecal, Intra-arterial.
• Local route:

  • skin topical
  • intranasal
  • ocular drops
  • mucosa: throat, mouth, ear, vagina
  • inhalational
  • transdermal
• oral drugs

  • Definition: Administering drugs by mouth.
  • Significance: Convenient and generally safe; suitable for self-administration.
• oral drugs

  • Indications: Chronic conditions, non-emergency situations (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
  • Contraindications: Nausea/vomiting, swallowing difficulties, unconsciousness, or conditions affecting absorption (e.g., gastrointestinal disorders).
• sublingual drug

  • Definition: Placing a drug under the tongue for absorption through the mucous membrane.
  • Significance: Rapid absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism.
• rectal route

  • Definition: Administering drugs via the rectum.
  • Significance: Useful for patients who cannot take oral medications (e.g., vomiting, unconscious).
• rectal route

  • Indications: Nausea/vomiting, localized conditions (e.g., hemorrhoids), pediatric patients.
  • Contraindications: Rectal bleeding, severe gastrointestinal disorders.
• Inhalational route

  • Definition: Administering drugs via the respiratory tract.
  • Significance: Direct delivery to the lungs for rapid systemic or local effects.
• Inhalational route

  • Indications: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anesthetics.
  • Contraindications: Severe respiratory conditions, inability to cooperate with inhalation.
• Transdermal route

  • Definition: Delivering drugs through the skin via patches.
  • Significance: Provides steady drug levels over time and avoids first-pass metabolism
• Transdermal route

  • Indications: Chronic pain, hormone replacement therapy, smoking cessation.
  • Contraindications: Skin irritation, allergies to adhesive, certain skin conditions
• IV

  • Definition: Directly administering drugs into the bloodstream.
  • Significance: Immediate effect; useful for emergencies.
• IV

  • ndications: Critical care, fluid replacement, chemotherapy.
  • Contraindications: Severe allergic reactions, certain coagulopathies.
• IM

  • Definition: Injecting drugs into muscle tissue.
  • Significance: Faster absorption than oral; longer duration than IV.
• IM

  • Indications: Vaccines, hormones, certain antibiotics.
  • Contraindications: Muscle disorders, coagulopathies.
• Subcutaneous injection

  • Definition: Injecting drugs into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle.
  • Significance: Easier and safer than IV; slower absorption.
• Subcutaneous injection

  • Indications: Insulin, heparin, vaccines.
  • Contraindications: Severe skin infections, coagulopathies.
• Intra-arterial

  • Definition: Administering drugs directly into an artery.
  • Significance: Targeted delivery to specific organs.
• Intra-arterial

  • Indications: Chemotherapy for localized tumors.
  • Contraindications: Vascular disease, infection at the site.
• Intrathecal

  • Definition: Injecting drugs into the spinal canal.
  • Significance: Direct delivery to the central nervous system.
• Intrathecal

  • Indications: Pain management, certain cancers, meningitis.
  • Contraindications: Spinal cord injury, infections.
• Intra-articular

  • Definition: Administering drugs directly into a joint.
  • Significance: Localized treatment with minimal systemic effects
• Intra-articular

  • Indications: Osteoarthritis, joint inflammation.
  • Contraindications: Joint infections, severe arthritis.
• Topical

  • Definition: Applying drugs directly to the skin.
  • Significance: Local effects with minimal systemic absorption.
• Topical

  • Indications: Dermatitis, localized pain relief, antifungal treatments.
  • Contraindications: Open wounds, infections, or severe skin conditions.
• Intranasal

  • Definition: Administering drugs through the nasal mucosa.
  • Significance: Rapid absorption and effects; bypasses first-pass metabolism.
• Intranasal

  • Indications: Allergies, nasal congestion, certain vaccines.
  • Contraindications: Nasal obstruction, severe nasal inflammation.
• Ocular drops

  • Definition: Applying drops directly to the eyes.
  • Significance: Local treatment for eye conditions with minimal systemic effects.
• Ocular

  • Indications: Glaucoma, infections, dryness.
  • Contraindications: Allergies to components, severe eye infections.
• Mucosal (Throat, Mouth, Vagina, Ear)

  • Definition: Administering drugs to mucosal membranes.
  • Significance: Localized treatment with minimal systemic absorption.
• Mucosal (Throat, Mouth, Vagina, Ear)

  • Indications: Oral thrush, vaginal infections, throat infections.
  • Contraindications: Severe mucosal irritation or infections.
• Inhalational

  • Definition: Delivering drugs to the lungs for local effects.
  • Significance: Rapid delivery to respiratory tissues.
• Inhalational

  • Indications: Localized treatment for respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma).
  • Contraindications: Severe respiratory distress, inability to use inhalers.
• Transdermal

  • Definition: Patches applied to the skin for local or systemic effects.
  • Significance: Continuous drug delivery over time.
• Transdermal

  • Indications: Hormonal therapies, pain management.
  • Contraindications: Skin allergies, irritations.