Routes of drug administration

Question 1

enteral routes of administration? (4)

Answer 1

oral (systemic/local effect)
sublingual (under tongue-absorption into mucous membranes)
Rectal (suppository, enema, rectal tube)
Buccal (absorption across mucous membrane of cheek)

Question 2

parenteral routes of administration

Answer 2

Inhalational
transdermal
injection (main are intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular)

Question 3

local routes of administration

Answer 3

skin topical
ocular drops
mucosal - throat, vagina, mouth, ear
intranasal
Inhalational (inhalers, aerosols, nebulisers, gaseous anaesthetics)
transdermal (patches, creams, gels, powders)

Question 4

what is the most common route of drug administration?

Answer 4

oral route

Question 5

advantages of oral route

Answer 5

preferred - simplest
safest
good absorption
cheap 
portable

Question 6

disadvantages of oral route

Answer 6

reduced bioavailability
delayed onset of action
absorption can be affected by stomach contents and pH
unsuitable in patients who are NBM (uncooperative)

Question 7

advantages of sublingual

Answer 7

quick absorption and onset of action
avoids the first pass effect
can remove it if necessary

Question 8

disadvantages of sublingual

Answer 8

short duration of action
if have a spray it can’t be removed
unpleasant taste

Question 9

Advantages of buccal route?

Answer 9

quick absorption and onset of action
avoids first pass effect
given to unconscious patients 
can remove if necessary 
longer duration of action compared to sublingual

Question 10

what route can be given to unconscious patients?

Answer 10

buccal, rectal

Question 11

disadvantages of buccal route

Answer 11

unpleasant taste

Question 12

in the event of a facial - what route should be avoided?

Answer 12

buccal route

Question 13

advantages of the rectal route

Answer 13

useful if the patient is vomiting or has dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
in seizures
children
unconscious patients
RAPID absorption of some drugs
useful if the particular drug causes GI irritation

Question 14

disadvantages of rectal

Answer 14

erratic, irregular and unpredictable absorption of some drugs - dosage form may be eliminated before absorption is complete

Question 15

advantages and disadvantages of the vaginal route (enteral)

Answer 15

pessaries, creams, tablets, capsules, solutions, spray
Advantage - local administration
Disadvantage - less favoured by some

Question 16

advantages of subcutaneous route (under skin)

Answer 16

easier access than intravenous (IV)
slow uniform absorption
rate of absorption can be controlled
least painful type of injection

Question 17

what is the least painful type of injection?

Answer 17

subcutaneous

Question 18

disadvantages of subcutaneous

Answer 18

risk of infection
slow absorption
less predictable than intramuscular
limited volume can be administered

Question 19

advantages and disadvantages of intramuscular

Answer 19

good- easier access than IV
Bad - painful, risk of infection
only a limited volume can be administered
slow, erratic absorption
avoid in children& coagulopathy

Question 20

what is the fastest route of injection?

Answer 20

intravenous (IV)

Question 21

advantages of intravenous

Answer 21

immediate delivery
100% bioavailability
large volumes can be administered
rapid dilution

Question 22

DISadvantages of intravenous

Answer 22

painful 
acute overdose is possible
risk of infection 
patient is more dependent and has reduced mobility
cannot remove it once its given
expensive

Question 23

general disadvantages of injections?

Answer 23

risk of infection
most are painful
cannot remove it once its given

Question 24

what is intra-articular route and advantages/disadvantages?

Answer 24

injection into a joint
Good - local action
Bad - painful, limited volumes administered.
if administered incorrectly- it can damage the cartilage

Question 25

what is intrathecal route? advantages/dis?

Answer 25

injection into sub-arachnoid space of meninges - by lumbar puncture.
Good- prevents malignancy, anaesthesia, treat infection
Bad - high risk, awful if wrong drug is given, risk of infection

Question 26

what is intraperitoneal route? ad/dis?

Answer 26

injection into peritoneal cavity
good - local administration of antibiotics for CAPD patients
Bad - risk of infection, risk of damaging organs

Question 27

what routes avoid the first pass effect?

Answer 27

sublingual

buccal