Parenteral Administration Quiz

Parenteral Administration in Medicine and Pharmacy

• Enteral administration refers to drug administration via the gastrointestinal tract, while parenteral administration refers to any method of drug administration that does not utilize the gastrointestinal tract, commonly by injection.
• Parenteral administration is often chosen when the drug molecule would be rapidly broken down in the gastrointestinal tract or when a highly localized effect is desired.
• Intravenous injection delivers the drug directly into the circulatory system for a rapid onset of action, which is important in emergency situations.
• Intramuscular injection delays and prolongs the release of the medicine from the injection site into the circulation, allowing for prolonged drug release.
• The intravenous route of injection is routinely used to administer medication to unconscious patients who are unable to swallow or when the gastrointestinal tract is not working.
• Patients would prefer to receive their medication as an oral tablet or liquid to swallow, or as a cream, ointment, or transdermal patch to apply to the skin rather than receive treatment via injection, which can be painful or stressful.
• Manufacturers prefer to prepare medicines such as tablets or liquids due to the less stringent requirements for manufacturing premises for these non-sterile products compared to the costs associated with manufacturing sterile medicines.
• Intravenous injections and infusions, intra-arterial and intracardiac injections, intradermal injections, subcutaneous injections, intramuscular injections, intraspinal injections, intra-articular injections, and ophthalmic injections are all routes of parenteral administration.
• Pharmacopoeial requirements for parenteral administration include general requirements and category-specific requirements.
• Factors affecting absorption from the injection site include excipients, vehicles for injections, preservatives, antioxidants, pH adjustment and buffers, tonicity adjusting agents, and suspending agents.
• Ampoules, vials, and infusion bags and bottles are commonly used containers for parenteral administration.
• Parenteral administration is employed not only for medicines but also for fluids for hydration and electrolyte replacement, plus all the nutrients, vitamins, and trace elements normally obtained from a healthy diet supplied by parenteral nutrition provided intravenously.