Pharmacology: Routes of Drug Administration

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Questions and Answers

A patient requires a drug that is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes significant first-pass metabolism. Which route of administration would be LEAST suitable?

  • Sublingual
  • Rectal
  • Intravenous
  • Oral (correct)

A new drug is developed that needs to reach its target site rapidly and requires precise dosage control. Which administration route is MOST appropriate?

  • Subcutaneous
  • Intramuscular
  • Oral
  • Intravenous (correct)

A patient is prescribed a medication using a transdermal patch. The patient asks where the patch should be applied. What is the MOST accurate instruction?

  • Apply the patch to an area with minimal hair to ensure proper adhesion.
  • The patch can be applied to various locations such as the chest, abdomen, upper arm, lower back, buttocks, or mastoid region. (correct)
  • You must apply the patch to the lower back for optimal absorption.
  • Apply the patch to alternating sites on the body to prevent skin irritation.

Which route of drug administration is MOST likely to result in the MOST rapid and complete bioavailability?

<p>Intravenous (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following administration via the nasal route, what is the MOST likely reason that certain drugs, like GnRH agonists or desmopressin, achieve systemic effects?

<p>Drugs are absorbed through nasal mucous membranes, bypassing digestive juices and the liver. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient in the dental clinic experiences a sudden severe allergic reaction and requires immediate drug intervention. What route of administration is MOST suitable for rapid drug delivery?

<p>Intravenous (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might the intramuscular route be preferred over the subcutaneous route for certain medications?

<p>Mildly irritating drugs can be administered intramuscularly, utilizing the muscle's vascular supply for comparatively rapid absorption. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST describes a key limitation of the intravenous (IV) route of drug administration compared to other parenteral routes?

<p>The IV route poses the highest risk due to the potential for rapid adverse effects from high drug concentrations reaching vital organs quickly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A dentist needs to prescribe a pain medication for a patient who reports difficulty swallowing pills. Which dosage form and route of administration would be MOST appropriate?

<p>Sublingual tablets (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is developing a new drug and wants to test its efficacy when applied directly to the skin. Which factor is LEAST important to consider when formulating the drug for topical administration?

<p>The drug's ability to reach deeper tissues via injection for slow systemic absorption. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pharmacology in Dentistry

Dentists need to understand how medications for systemic diseases impact oral health and dental treatment.

Systemic Routes

Drug administration directly into the bloodstream for systemic distribution.

Local Route

Application of a drug to a specific area for localized effect, minimizing systemic absorption.

Oral Route

The most common, safe, convenient, and cost-effective method of drug administration.

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Sublingual Route

Administration under the tongue; rapid absorption into systemic circulation, bypassing first-pass metabolism.

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Rectal Route

Administration via suppositories or enemas; bypasses part of the liver.

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Cutaneous Route

Application of lipid-soluble drugs for slow, prolonged absorption, bypassing the liver.

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Inhalational Route

Volatile liquids and gases absorbed rapidly through alveoli.

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Parenteral Routes

Administration by injection directly into tissue fluid or blood; bypasses mucosal membranes and the liver.

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Intravenous Route

Injection directly into the bloodstream; immediate effects suitable for emergencies.

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Study Notes

Reasons to Study Pharmacology

  • Dentists prescribe drugs for dental conditions
  • Need to understand effects of systemic disease medications on oral health
  • Must modify prescriptions to avoid interference with patient's medications
  • Need familiarity with drugs for emergency management during dental procedures

Factors Affecting Route of Administration

  • Physical and chemical properties of the drug, including state of matter and pH levels
  • The targeted site of action for the drug
  • Rate and extent of absorption via various routes
  • Effects of digestive fluids and first-pass metabolism
  • Time required for drug action, especially in emergencies
  • Need for precise dosage control, favoring intravenous and inhalational routes
  • Patient's condition, avoiding oral routes for unconscious patients

Local Routes of Administration

  • Used for localized lesions at accessible sites with minimal systemic absorption
  • Allows high drug concentrations at the site of action
  • Presents a low chance of drug toxicity
  • Includes topical application, deeper tissue injections, and arterial supply

Topical Route

  • External drug application for localized action
  • Efficient for skin, mucosa, eyes, ear canals, anal canal, and vagina
  • Includes non-absorbable oral drugs, inhaled drugs, and irrigating solutions
  • In dentistry, employs antiseptics, astringents, and hemostatics

Deeper Tissues Route

  • Achieved through injections into deep areas
  • Slow systemic absorption is important
  • Examples include nerve infiltration, intrathecal injection, and intra-articular injection

Arterial Supply Route

  • Includes intra-arterial injection for angiography contrast media
  • Used to infuse anticancer drugs into arteries for limb malignancies

Systemic Routes of Administration

  • Delivers drugs into the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body
  • Common methods include oral, sublingual, rectal, cutaneous, inhalational, and parenteral routes

Oral Route

  • Most common and oldest administration method
  • Safe, convenient, non-invasive, and cost- effective
  • Both solid and liquid dosage forms can be administered
  • Slower action that is unsuitable for emergencies
  • Unpalatable drugs and potential for nausea, vomiting, and variable absorption

Sublingual Route

  • Tablet placed under the tongue or crushed in the mouth
  • Suited for lipid-soluble and non-irritating drugs
  • Rapid absorption directly into systemic circulation
  • Bypasses the first-pass metabolism in the liver
  • Examples include glyceryl trinitrate, buprenorphine, and desamino-oxytocin

Rectal Route

  • Drugs administered via suppositories or enemas
  • Used for irritant or unpleasant drugs, as well as recurrent vomiting
  • Absorption tends to be slower, irregular and unpredictable
  • Portion of drug volume bypasses the liver
  • Indomethacin, diazepam, and ergotamine are examples of drugs given rectally

Cutaneous Route

  • Lipid-soluble drugs applied for slow, prolonged absorption
  • Bypasses the liver
  • Transdermal therapeutic systems deliver drugs at a constant rate through adhesive patches

Transdermal Patches

  • Adhesive patches that deliver drugs at a constant rate to systemic circulation
  • Rate controlled by a micropore membrane
  • Applied to areas like the chest, abdomen, upper arm, lower back, buttocks, or mastoid region
  • Delivers drugs irrespective of the site of application
  • Glyceryl trinitrate, fentanyl, nicotine and estradiol are available in India
  • Designed to last for 1-3 days

Inhalational Route

  • Volatile liquids and gases given for systemic action
  • Absorption occurs rapidly through alveoli
  • Allows for controlled administration with quick adjustments
  • Drugs quickly diffuse back and eliminate via expired air

Nasal Route

  • Mucous membrane of the nose absorbs drugs
  • Bypasses digestive juices and the liver
  • Drugs like GnRH agonists and desmopressin are administered via spray or nebulizer

Parenteral Routes

  • Administration by injection directly into tissue fluid or blood
  • Bypasses mucosal membranes, avoiding limitations of oral administration
  • Faster and more reliable drug action, suitable for emergencies
  • Bypasses the liver
  • Preparation must be sterilized, technique is invasive and painful with risk of tissue injury
  • Types include subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous routes

Subcutaneous Route

  • Drug deposited in loose subcutaneous tissue
  • Irritant drugs cannot be injected
  • Slow drug absorption
  • Self-injection is possible
  • Avoid in shock patients due to vasoconstriction
  • Repository preparations include oily solutions or aqueous suspensions

Intramuscular Route

  • Drug injected into skeletal muscles
  • Useful to inject mild irritants
  • Muscles’ rich vascular supply allows for rapid absorption
  • Avoid in patients on anticoagulant medication

Intravenous Route

  • Drug injected directly into the bloodstream
  • Immediate effects suitable for emergencies
  • Allows injection of irritant drugs
  • Thrombophlebitis and necrosis are potential risks
  • Requires aqueous solutions
  • Bioavailability is 100%, and even large volumes can be infused
  • Accurate titration of dose with measurable response is possible
  • Riskiest route due to high concentrations of the drug reaching vital organs quickly
  • Possibility of causing air embolism presents a risk

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