Routes of drug administration

Dr. Rathnakar U.P.

MD.DIH.PGDHM

Associate Professor Department of Pharmacology Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore www.scribd.com 03 August 2013

Routes of Drug Administration

Route of administration is the path by which a drug, is brought into contact with the body

Parenteral [injections]

ID

Parenteral routes

Parenteral routes
, epidural

Intra articular

Administration of drug into the joint cavity

Intra arterial

Drug administered into arteries-Diagnostic or therapeutic

Parenteral route
Intravitreal Drugs like glucocorticoids, antivirals and antibodies can be injected into vitreous cavity

Intraperitoneal

Parenteral X Oral
Advantages Fast-sure action Unconscious & uncooperative pts. Vomiting & diarrhoea Emergencies. Irritant drugs (I.V.route) Drugs which are destroyed by G.I./first pass metabolism - given safely. Disadvantages Less safe More expensive Inconvenient Self medication is difficult Painful. Chances of local tissue injury& injury to nerves Requires sterilization of instruments Skilled

Subcutaneous[s.c.]
Into loose connective tissue Rich in nerves & vascular Self injection-possible Only small volumes Not in shock[vasoconstriction] Eg.Insulin

Subcutaneous[s.c.]-spl.forms
Dermojet The drug is projected at high velocity, no needle. Pain less.

Implants Drug in the form of pellets is implanted-testoserone

Implants

Subcutaneous[s.c.]-spl.forms

Iontophoresis

Sonophoresis

Implants

Drug is packed in porous non-biodegradable material is implanted-Norplant

Intramuscular[i.m.]
[deltoid, triceps, G.maximus, rectus femoris] Advantages Large volume[ unlike.s.c]5c.c. Oily solutions [can not be given i.v.] Mild irritants can be injected Disadvantages Pain full Less volume compared to i.v. Not in anti-coagulated pts. Self administration not possible

Intravenous
Bolus or infusion Immediate action Not painful even when irritants are injected [intima is insensitive] May cause thrompmophlebitisdilute the drug Only clear solutions Not suspensions or oily preparations Dose smaller Bio availability is 100% Dose titrable High risk route-vital organs are exposed high concentrations of the drug

Intradermal
Injected into the skin BCG vaccine Drug sensitivity testing

Factors deciding the choice of route

Physical & chemical propertiesSolid/Liquid/Gas, Irritancy, pH Site of desired action- Local or systemic Rate of absorption from a route Effect digestive juice and First pass metabolism Routine or emergency Accuracy of dosage Condition of Pt.-Unconcious, vomiting