ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS

Route of administration of drugs
1.Oral Route :
a)Enteral
b)Sublingual
c)Enema.
2.Parenterals:
a)Injection:
i)Intravenous
ii)Intraperitoneal
iii)Intramuscular
iv)subcutaneous
v)Intradermal
vi)Intramedullary
vii)Intrathecal
viii)Intra-articular
b) Inhalation
3.Local applications.

1. Route of administration
of drugs
Prepared by: Mrs. Jagtap M.M.

2. Defination:
The way of administration of drug into
the body.
Systemic Effect: Effect produced by
drug after being effectively absorbed in
blood circulation.
Local Effect: Effect produced by drug
in a localized area where it is applied.

3. Classification:
Route of administration:

4. 1)Enteral:
a)Oral
b)Sublingual
c)Enema:
i) Retention
ii) Evacuant
2)Parenteral:
a)Injection
b)Inhalation
a)Injection:
i) Intravenous
ii) Intramuscular
iii) Intradermal
iv) Intraperitoneal
v) Intrathecal
vi) Intramedullary
vii) Intra-articular
viii)Subcutaneous
3)Local application

5. Enteral Parenteral Local
application
Oral Sublingual Enema Injections Inhalations
RetentionIntradermal
EvacuantIntramuscular
Intravenous
Intraperitoneal
Intrathecal
Intramedullary
Intra-articular
Subcutaneous
Tabular format

7. 1)Enteral:
Enteron Intestine
Drug is placed in GI tract
a)Oral:
Drug taken or placed in mouth cavity &
swallowed along with drinks.such as
water ,milk.
e.g. Tablets, capsules,
suspension,solution,emulsion.
Advantages:
1.Commom & safe route of administration.

8. Disadvantages:
1) Slow onset of action.
2) Not useful in clinical emergencies.
3) Absorption is irregular .
4) It is not useful in cases of unconscious and non-
cooperative patients
5) Not suitable for drugs destroyed by digestive
juices
6) Not useful in prevommiting &diarrhea patient.

9. b)Sublingual:
Tablet is placed below the tongue & allowed to
dissolve in mouth cavity.
e.g. Ephedrine hydrochloride tablet Asthma
Nitroglycerine tablet Angina pectoris
Advantages:
1.100% absorption is possible.
2.Quick onset of action .
3.Avoids first pass effect.
4.Avoids degradation of the drug in GIT .
5.Quick termination of drug effect on spitting the
tablet.

10. Disadvantages:
1.Inconvenient method.
2.Irritation to mucus membrane occur.
3.Person may swallow the drug.
4.Might be unpleasant in taste.

11. c)Enema:
Administration of liquid medicaments into
rectum.
Types:i) Evacuant
ii) Retention
i) Evacuant:
Used to remove faecal matter and flatulance.
e.g. Soap water enema
ii) Retention:
e.g. Prednisolone enema in ulcerative
colitis.

12. 2)Parenteral:
Parenteralsdrugsaredirectlyadministredinto
veins,muscles,orundertheskin.
Advantages:
1.Onset of action is very quick.
2.Useful in unconscious or non-co-operative patients.
3.In nausea and vomiting, drugs can be administered by
the route
4.100% absorption is possible as there is no degradation
by gastric enzymes.
5.Accuracy of dosage is possible
6.Low doses are effective
7.Irritant, unpalatable drugs can be given.
Useful in case of medical emergency, life saving route.

13. Disadvantages:
1.It's a costly route
2.Aseptic technique is required
3.It is inconvenient
4.Self-medication is not possible
5.Once administered, action cannot be
control and hence risky route.
6.Skilled person required.

14. a)Injection:
i)Intravenous: Drug is injected into
veins.
Advantages:
Useful for Unconscious or
uncooperative patients.
Useful in case of Vomiting, diarrhoea.
No irritation of stomach.
Provides rapid onset of action.
Useful in case of Emergencies.
(lifesaving route)
Accuracy of dosage is achieved.

15. Disadvantages :
1.Once injected drug can’t be withdrawn.
2.Irritation of veins may cause
thrombophlebitis
3.Only aqueous solutions can be given
4.Self-medication is difficult
5.Trained personnel required for administering
drug
6.There is risk of embolism.

16. ii) Intramuscular:
Advantages:-
1.Mild irritants, suspensions, colloids and
injections with insoluble oily bases can
be administered in this route.
2.This route also ensures uniform and
slow absorption of drugs which
includes drugs with low solubility as
well as repository penicillin
preparations.

17. Disadvantages:-
1.If proper care is not taken there is
possibility of injury to the nerves.
2.Injected drug may produce local pain
and abscess formation.
3.Total volume of drug injected is
restricted up to 10 ml.
4.Certain intramuscular injections need
more time for absorption as compared
to oral administration.

18. Intradermal:
Drug is injected outer layer of skin.
Small quantity of drug can be
administerd & injection is painful.
E.g.BCG vaccine,smallpox vaccine,
penicillin,ATS(anti-tetanus serum)

19. iv) Intraperitoneal:
Drug is injected into peritoneal cavity.
It is preferred when large amount of
blood replacement fluids are needed.
e.g. Used to give fluids like glucose
saline solution to infants.

20. v) Intrathecal :(Intraspinal)
Drug is injected into subarachnoid.
Require strick aseptic techniques.
Used in spinal anasthesia and acute CNS
infections.
E.g.Streptomycin in T.B. & meningitis.

21. vii) Intra-articular:
Drug is injected into joint cavity.
Rarely used
Anticancer drugs are given for localized
effect.
e.g. Hydrocortisone in rheumatoid
arthritis.

22. vi) Intramedullary:
Drug is injected into bone
marrow.(sternum &tibia)
This route is used when veins are not
available specially in children & restless
patients.
Drug is inserted sternum in adult & tibia
or femur in child.

23. viii)Subcutaneous:
Drug is injected below the skin.
Absorption is slow, so prolong
action.
e.g.Adrenalin,morphine ,insulin

24. b)Inhalation:
The drug s can be administred as aerosole
system or in the form of droplets.
Aerosoles are liquid or solid particle which are
suspended in air for lomg time.
e.g. Adrenaline in bronchial ashtma.

25. Advantages:
1.Large area is available for absorption
2.Absorption is quick
3.Self administration is possible
4.First pass metabolism is avoided.
Disadvantages:
1.Special apparatus is required.
2.Irritation of the respiratory tract may
takes place.
3.Co-operation of patient is required.

26. 3)Local application:
Drugs applied to external surfaces
the skin and mucus membranes.
The external preparations like
creams,lotions,solutions,ointments,sus
pensions,paste,jellies.
These used for
antiseptic,analgesic,emollient effects

27. Advantages:
1.Convenient & easy to apply
2.Avoidance of first pass metabolism
3.Lower risk of side effects.
Disadvantages:
May cause skin irritation.
Possibility of allergic reactions.