MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION The giving of, dispensing of, or application of medicines, drugs, or remedies to believe or cure an illness

ADMINISTRATION BUCCAL The delivery of a medication by application to the buccal mucosa

ADMINISTARTION INHALATION The delivery of a medication by breathing it

ADMINISTRATION INTRANASAL Drug administered by the nasal or oral respiratory route for a local or systematic effect

ADMINISTRATION ORAL The delivery of a medication by oral cavity

ADMINISTRATION RECTAL The delivery of a medication through the rectum

ADMINISTRATION SUBLINGUAL The delivery of a medication by placing it under the ventral surface of the tongue for dissolution and absorption through the mucous membrane

ADMINISTRATION TOPICAL The delivery of a medication by application to the skin or mucous membrane

ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERATIONS
Many practical aspects of drug administration influence the effectiveness of prescribed therapy, such as:

Drug Form
Some tablets and capsules are too large to be swallowed easily by patients who are seriously ill. For these patients, request an oral solution or elixir of the drug. Remember, however, that a liquid form is more easily and completely absorbed than a tablet, so it produces higher blood levels than a tablet.

Administration Route
Routes of administration arent therapeutically interchangeable. For example, phenytoin is readily absorbed orally but slowly and erratically absorbed when given I.M. In contrast, vancomycin must be given parenterally because oral administration yields inadequate blood vessels for treating systematic infections. However, it can be given orally to treat antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis because it concentrates in stool.

Timing
Sometimes giving an oral drug during or shortly after a meal decreases the amount of drug absorbed. This decrease isnt clinically significant with most drugs may in fact be helpful with irritating drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. However, many penicillins and tetracyclines shouldnt be scheduled for administration at mealtimes because certain foods can inactivate them. If youre in doubt about the effect of food on a certain drug, consult a pharmacist.

Storage
Storing a drug improperly can alter its potency. Most drugs should be stored in tightly capped containers and protected from direct sunlight and extremes of temperature and humidity, which can cause them to deteriorate. Some may require special storage conditions such as refrigeration.

MEDICATIONS ADMINISTRATION Routes of administration Topical Route Otic administration Opthalmic administration Gastric route Rectal and vaginal route Intradermal route Subcutaneous route Intramascular Route Intravenous route

DOSAGE CONSIDERATIONS

Half life: Drug form: Administration route: Timing: Storage: Drug Action: Drug Receptor Interaction: Outcome of drug action:

Major Administration Routes and Drug Forms

The table below shows the major administration and the drug form available for each.

Route

Form

Route

Form

Oral (solid)

Capsule Powder Tablet Elixir Emulsion Solution Suspension Syrup Solution Solution Suppository

Vaginal

Oral (liquid)

Foam Gel Solutions Suppository Tablet Aerosol Cream Lotion Ointment Paste Patch Powder

Topical
(ear, eye, nose, skin)

Parenteral Rectal

FORMS OF MEDICATION PREPARATIONS

ORAL
Tablets: compressed or molded substances Troches, lozenges and pastilles: designed to dissolve in the mouth

Caplets: gelatin-coated tablets that dissolve in the stomach

Time-release capsules: encased substances that are further enclosed in smaller casings that deliver a drug dose over an extended period of time

Capsules: substances encased in either hard or a soft soluble container or gelatin shell that dissolves in the stomach

Enteric-coated: coated tablets that dissolve in the intestines, rather than the stomach, to decrease gastric irritability; never crushed

Powder and granules: finely ground substances, usually mixed with water or juice

Sustained-release: compounded substances designed to release a drug slowly to maintain a steady blood medication level

TOPICAL
Powder: lightly dusted on skin Ointments: semisolid substances for topical use

Transdermal patches: contain medication Liniments: substances mixed with an that is absorbed through the skin cover an alcohol, oil or soapy emollient extended period of time

Pastes: semisolid substances, thicker than an ointment, absorbed slowly through the skin

Suppositories: gelatinous substances designed to dissolve when inserted in the rectum or vagina

INHALANTS

Inhalations: drug administered by the nasal or oral respiratory route for a local or systematic effect

SOLUTIONS
Solutions: contain one or more soluble chemical substances dissolved in water Gargles: aqueous solutions

Enemas: aqueous solutions for rectal instillation

Syrups: substances dissolved in a sugar liquid

Emulsion: a 2-phase system in which one liquid is dispersed in the form of small droplets throughout another liquid

Douches: aqueous solutions that function as a cleansing or antiseptic agent that may be dispensed in the form of powder for dissolving in warm water

Mouthwashes: aqueous solutions that may contain alcohol, glycerin, and synthetic sweeteners and surface-active flavoring and coloring agents

Elixirs: nonaqueous solutions that contain water, varying alcohol content and glycerin or other sweeteners

Nasal solutions: aqueous solutions in the form of drops or sprays

Optic or otic solutions: aqueous solutions that are instilled as drops

Suspensions: particle or powder substances that must be dissolved in a liquid before administration