Pharmacology: Drug Delivery Methods

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Questions and Answers

Which advantage is associated with extended-release preparations?

Avoids first-pass metabolism

Slower adsorption and prolonged duration (correct)

Immediate absorption and effects

Allows for larger doses

What is a primary disadvantage of the sublingual/buccal route?

Inconvenience and unpleasant taste (correct)

Irreversible effects

Requires large doses

High risk of infection

Which of the following statements about parenteral routes of administration is false?

They provide good bioavailability.

They bypass the first-pass metabolism.

They allow for high convenience and comfort. (correct)

They can cause local tissue damage.

Which scenario is most appropriate for using intravenous (IV) administration?

When a rapid onset of action is required Signup and view all the answers

What pharmacological effect does first-pass metabolism have on drugs administered orally?

Decreases the amount of active drug reaching systemic circulation Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true regarding intramuscular (IM) injections?

They can accommodate larger volumes than subcutaneous injections. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common misconception about sublingual drug administration?

It is suitable for all types of medications Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with intravenous drug administration?

Introduction of systemic infections Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of using subcutaneous drug administration over intravenous routes?

Minimizes risks of hemolysis or thrombosis Signup and view all the answers

Which route of drug administration is specifically suitable when local, rapid effects are necessary and drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier?

Intrathecal/intraventricular Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of depot preparations?

They consist of the drug in a non-aqueous vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding nasal inhalation?

It can be used for local and systemic effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of transdermal drug delivery systems?

They maintain stable blood levels of the drug. Signup and view all the answers

What type of drugs are typically administered via the intradermal route?

Diagnostic agents and desensitizing agents Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can limit absorption via the subcutaneous route?

Blood flow to the injection site Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding oral inhalation is accurate?

It is particularly effective for respiratory conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of the oral route of drug administration?

The first-pass effect can limit the drug's bioavailability. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true regarding enteric-coated preparations?

They protect acid-unstable drugs from degradation. Signup and view all the answers

Which route of drug administration is considered to have the highest risk of infection?

Intravenous (IV) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'first-pass effect' refer to in pharmacology?

The alteration of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of oral drug administration?

Rapid onset of action for emergency situations. Signup and view all the answers

For which condition is the oral route of drug administration primarily unsuitable?

Patients with gastrointestinal disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

What substance might reduce the absorption efficiency of orally administered drugs?

Gastric pH variations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following routes of drug administration is categorized under 'parenteral' methods?

Intravenous (IV) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Extended-Release Extended-Release Preparations involve creating drug formulations for effective delivery and absorption, including various forms like tablets.ease Preparations involve formulating drugs for optimal delivery and absorption, including various forms like tablets. refer to the process of creating a specific formulation of a drug or medication that is ready for administration. This can involve various techniques to ensure that the drug is in a suitable form for effective delivery and absorption in the body. Different types of preparations include tablets, capsules, liquids, and injections, each designed to meet particular therapeutic needs. The preparation methods can influence the onset, intensity, and duration of the drug's effect, thus playing a crucial role in the overall treatment plan. Additionally, the choice of preparation may take into account factors such as the patient's condition, age, and ability to adhere to treatment regimens. (ER or XR)

Release drug slowly from the pill into the body
Advantageous for drugs with short half-lives
Advantages: prolonged duration, better patient compliance, maintain concentrations within acceptable therapeutic range

Sublingual/ Buccal

Placement under the tongue to directly enter systemic circulation
Buccal route: drug is placed between cheek and gum
Advantages: ease of administration, rapid absorption, low risk of infection, bypasses harsh GI environment, avoids first-pass metabolism
Disadvantages: inconvenient, small doses, unpleasant taste

Parenteral Route

Introduces drugs directly across the body's barriers into systemic circulation
Uses: drugs poorly absorbed by GI tract, drugs unstable in the GI tract, patients unable to take oral medication, rapid onset of action required
Advantages: avoids first-pass metabolism and harsh GI environments, good bioavailability, control over drug dose
Disadvantages: irreversible, low convenience, pain, fear, local tissue damage, infection

Intravenous (IV)

Drugs injected directly into the bloodstream via a vein
Administration: bolus, slow intravenous injection, intravenous infusion
Uses and advantages: for drugs not absorbed orally, for chemicals causing irritation by other routes, precise and accurate delivery, immediate onset of action, large quantities can be administered
Disadvantages: irreversible, risk of infection, risk of embolism, risk of adverse reactions due to rapid delivery of high concentrations

Intramuscular (IM)

Drugs injected into a large muscle
Factors influencing IM administration: therapeutic objectives, onset of action/duration of treatment, site of action, condition of the patient, age of the patient

Routes of Drug Administration

Major routes: Enteral (oral, sublingual, buccal), Parenteral (IV, IM, SC, ID), Others (transdermal, nasal inhalation, oral inhalation, topical, rectal, vaginal)

Oral

Most common and acceptable route
Advantages: convenient, self-administered, pain-free, easy to take, absorption along GI tract, cheap, safe, overdose can be overcome with antidotes
Disadvantages: inefficient absorption, absorption affected by factors like gastric pH, destruction of drugs by gastric acid and digestive juices, first-pass effect, irritation to gastric mucosa, slow effect, unpleasant taste, unable to use in unconscious patients

First-Pass Effect

Intestinal and hepatic degradation or alteration of a drug taken by mouth
Greater the first-pass effect, the less drug reaches systemic circulation when administered orally

Enteric-Coated Preparations

Chemical envelope resisting stomach fluids and enzymes, dissolving in the upper intestine
Useful for drugs that are: acid unstable, stomach irritating

Extended-Release Preparations

Provide a depot effect for slow, sustained drug release

Subcutaneous (SC)

Absorption via simple diffusion
Slower than IV route
Advantages: minimizes risk of hemolysis or thrombosis associated with IV injection, provides constant, slow, sustained effects
Disadvantages: should not be used with irritating drugs, absorption limited by blood flow, affected if circulatory problems exist

Intradermal (ID)

Injection into the dermis, the vascular layer under the epidermis
Used for diagnostic determination and desensitization

Oral Inhalation

Gaseous and volatile agents and aerosols
Rapid onset of action due to rapid access to circulation
Effective and convenient for respiratory complaints

Nasal Inhalation

Administration of drugs directly into the nose
Local effect: nasal decongestants, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids
Systemic effect: desmopressin for diabetes insipidus treatment

Intrathecal/Intraventricular

Introduces drugs directly into cerebrospinal fluid
Used when drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier or rapid local effects are needed

Topical

Drug applied to skin or mucous membranes for local effect
Mucosal membranes: eye, nasal, vaginal, rectal
Skin: ointment, cream

Transdermal

Drug administered via a patch delivering drug into systemic circulation
Advantages: stable blood levels, no first-pass metabolism
Disadvantages: drug must be potent, patch can be large

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Description

This quiz covers various drug delivery methods including extended-release preparations, sublingual/buccal applications, and the parenteral route. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each method and their implications for patient care. Test your knowledge on how these methods improve drug efficacy and patient compliance.