Routes of Drug Administration
Start with the big picture
Routes of administration differ in convenience, absorption, onset, and potential for local or systemic effects. Enteral options include oral, sublingual, buccal, and rectal administration; oral medicines are convenient, but absorption can vary and first-pass metabolism may reduce bioavailability. Parenteral routes range from intravenous delivery, which allows rapid and precise administration, to intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injection, each with distinct volume and absorption considerations. Specialized routes such as intrathecal or intra-arterial administration require particular attention to technique and safety. Pulmonary, intranasal, transdermal, topical, ophthalmic, and otic routes offer further ways to target treatment or influence absorption. The central task is to weigh route-specific advantages, limitations, and patient factors when considering drug delivery.
What you'll learn
- Compare key characteristics of enteral, parenteral, and other administration routes.
- Explain how first-pass metabolism and variable absorption affect oral administration.
- Distinguish common injection routes by their uses and practical limitations.
- Identify safety considerations associated with specialized and local delivery routes.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
