Routes of Administration in Pharmacology

Study Notes

Routes of Administration

Enteral: Through the gastrointestinal tract (GI)
- Oral (PO): Tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions
- Sublingual (SL): Under the tongue
- Buccal (BU): Between the cheek and gum
- Rectal (PR): Suppositories
Parenteral: Outside the GI tract
- Intravenous (IV): Directly into a vein
- Intramuscular (IM): Into a muscle
- Subcutaneous (SC): Into the fatty tissue beneath the skin
- Intradermal (ID): Into the skin
- Intrathecal (IT): Into the spinal canal
- Epidural (EP): Into the space outside the spinal sac

Factors Affecting Drug Administration

Patient factors:
- Age
- Weight
- Body surface area
- Renal and hepatic function
- Allergies and sensitivities
Drug factors:
- Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
- Pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action)
- Dose and dosage form
- Interactions with other drugs
Environmental factors:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Lighting

Methods of Drug Administration

Solutions: Liquid preparations containing the active drug
Suspensions: Liquid preparations containing undissolved particles
Emulsions: Mixtures of two or more liquids
Ointments: Semi-solid preparations for topical application
Inhalers: Devices delivering medication directly to the lungs
Patches: Transdermal delivery systems
Implants: Small devices inserted under the skin for sustained release

Dosage Forms

Solid: Tablets, capsules, powders
Liquid: Solutions, suspensions, emulsions
Semi-solid: Ointments, creams, gels
Gaseous: Inhalers, anesthetics

Drug Administration Devices

Syringes: For injecting medications
Infusion devices: For delivering medications through IV lines
Pumps: For administering medications through IV lines or other routes
Inhalers: For delivering medications directly to the lungs
Auto-injectors: For self-administration of medications in emergency situations

Routes of Administration

Enteral administration occurs through the gastrointestinal tract (GI)
Oral (PO) administration involves tablets, capsules, solutions, and suspensions
Sublingual (SL) administration involves placing medication under the tongue
Buccal (BU) administration involves placing medication between the cheek and gum
Rectal (PR) administration involves using suppositories

Parenteral Administration

Intravenous (IV) administration involves direct injection into a vein
Intramuscular (IM) administration involves injecting medication into a muscle
Subcutaneous (SC) administration involves injecting medication into the fatty tissue beneath the skin
Intradermal (ID) administration involves injecting medication into the skin
Intrathecal (IT) administration involves injecting medication into the spinal canal
Epidural (EP) administration involves injecting medication into the space outside the spinal sac

Factors Affecting Drug Administration

Patient factors influencing drug administration include age, weight, body surface area, renal and hepatic function, and allergies and sensitivities
Drug factors include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dose, dosage form, and interactions with other drugs
Environmental factors include temperature, humidity, and lighting

Methods of Drug Administration

Solutions are liquid preparations containing the active drug
Suspensions are liquid preparations containing undissolved particles
Emulsions are mixtures of two or more liquids
Ointments are semi-solid preparations for topical application
Inhalers deliver medication directly to the lungs
Patches involve transdermal delivery systems
Implants are small devices inserted under the skin for sustained release

Dosage Forms

Solid dosage forms include tablets, capsules, and powders
Liquid dosage forms include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions
Semi-solid dosage forms include ointments, creams, and gels
Gaseous dosage forms include inhalers and anesthetics

Drug Administration Devices

Syringes are used for injecting medications
Infusion devices deliver medications through IV lines
Pumps administer medications through IV lines or other routes
Inhalers deliver medications directly to the lungs
Auto-injectors are used for self-administration of medications in emergency situations

Description

This quiz covers the different routes of administration in pharmacology, including enteral and parenteral routes. Test your knowledge of oral, sublingual, buccal, rectal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, and intrathecal routes.