2. Routes of Drug Administration
A route of administration is the path by which a drug, fluid,
poison, or other substance is brought into contact with the
body.
Route of administration (ROA) that is chosen may have a
profound effect upon the speed and efficiency with which
the drug acts
3. Factors governing route of administration
⢠Drug factors
⢠Physical and chemical properties of the drug
(solid/liquid/gas; solubility, stability, pH, irritancy).
⢠Nature of the drug
⢠Rate and extent of absorption of the drug from
different routes
⢠Bioavailability of drug
⢠Distribution
⢠Extensive first pass metabolism
4. ⢠Patients factor
⢠Condition of the patient (unconscious, vomiting).
⢠Associated comorbidities
⢠Rapidity with which the response is desired (routine
treatment or emergency).
⢠Accuracy of dosage required (i.v. and inhalational can
provide fine tuning).
⢠Disease factors
⢠Site of desired actionâlocalized and approachable or
generalized and not approachable.
⢠Emergency situation
10. DISADVANTAGES
â˘Action of drugs is slower and thus not suitable for emergencies.
â˘Unpalatable drugs (chloramphenicol) are difficult to administer;
â˘May cause nausea and vomiting .
â˘Cannot be used for uncooperative/unconscious/ vomiting
patient.
â˘Absorption of drugs may be variable and erratic;
â˘certain drugs are not absorbed (streptomycin).
â˘Others are destroyed by digestive juices (penicillin G,Insulin) or
in liver (GTN, testosterone, lidocaine).
11. Precautions
Patient should be
in upright position
To be taken with
glass full of water
Avoid certain
drugs in
recumbent
position
â˘Iron
â˘Tetracycline
â˘Bisphosphonates
12. TRANSMUCOSAL ROUTE
⢠SUBLINGUAL ROUTE :
Tablet is placed
under tongue
Crosses buccal
mucosa
Enters into systemic
circulation
Example
Nitroglyceri
ne
Buprenorph
ine
Nifedipine
13. ADVANTAGES OF SUBLINGUAL
ROUTE
Rapid onset of action
Quick termination on spitting
Bypass first pass metabolism
No degradation in intestinal wall and liver.
14. First-pass Effect
⢠The first-pass effect is the term used for the
metabolism of a drug during its passage from
the site of absorption into systemic circulation.
⢠The greater the first-pass effect, the less the
agent will reach the systemic circulation when
the agent is administered orally
18. Advantages
No GI irritation
First pass
degradation is
relatively less
Useful in patients
with nausea &
vomiting
Examples
Indomethacin in
rheumatoid
arthritis
Bisacodyl,
Glycerine
suppositories,
enema
Diazepam in
status epilepticus
Disadvantage
All patients may
not be
comfortable/
willing to do it.
Chances of rectal
inflammation
Absorption is
unreliable
19. ENEMA
EVACUANT ENEMA
⢠For evacuation of large
bowel.
⢠Warm water, soap solutions,
glycerin can be given.
⢠Amount ~ 600 ml.
⢠Used for
â Constipation
â Pre-op preperation
â Before radiological
examination.
RETENTION ENEMA
⢠Local action
â Steroids in ulcerative colitis.
⢠Systemic action
â Diazepam in status
epilepticus
â Indomethacin in RA.
⢠Amount ~ 100-120 ml.
Causes
evacuation
Should be
retained for
action
20. PARENTERAL ROUTES
ADVANTAGES
Can be used in
unconscious
and
uncooperative
patients
Beneficial in
vomiting &
diarrhoea.
Irritating drugs
can be given.
Avoid drug
modification
by GI & liver
enzymes.
Rapid action and
accuracy of dose is
ensured.
22. INTRAVENOUS
IV injection
As a rapid IV bolus
Over 5-10 minutes
in 10-20 ml dilution
In an infusion in 50-
100 ml or larger in
volume.
To slow the
administration of
the drug
To maintain
constant plasma
levels
To administer large
volumes either
rapidly or over
prolonged periods.
OBJECTIVES
RAPID
SLOWER
EVEN
SLOWER
!!!
25. ⢠Dermojet: In this method needle is not used; a high velocity jet of drug solution
is projected from a microfine orifice using a gun like implement. The solution
passes through the superficial layers and gets deposited in the subcutaneous
tissue. It is essentially painless and suited for mass inoculations.
⢠Pellet implantation: The drug in the form of a solid pellet is introduced with
a trochar and cannula. This provides sustained release of the drug over weeks and
months, e.g. DOCA, testosterone.
⢠Sialistic (nonbiodegradable) and biodegradable implants:
Crystalline drug is packed in tubes or capsules made of suitable materials and
implanted under the skin
27. Intramuscular
Mild irritants can
be given.
Depot
preparations
Local pain /
necrosis.
Damage to nerve
deltoid, triceps,
gluteus maximus,
rectus femoris
Intramuscular injections
should be avoided in
anticoagulant treated
patients,
29. INTRATHECAL
In subarachnoid
space.
Bypass BBB &
Blood-CSF barrier.
Antibiotic
Anticancer drugs.
EPIDURAL
Drug is injected
between the Dura
& the lining of
spinal canal
Lidocaine
http://pain-
topics.org/images/img_glossar
y2.jpg
http://www.dhmc.org/dhmc-internet-
upload/file_collection/ESI-translaminal.jpg
31. Intramedullary
In the bone
marrow
Saline/blood
can be given in
new born
Rarely used.
Intraarticular
Into joint cavity
Hydrocortisone
in Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Intralesional
Glucocorticoid
injection..
Local
anaesthetic
injection.
Given in
painful spots.
34. Metered dose inhalers
⢠Contain solution /suspensions /
emulsion of drugs in a mixture of
inert propellants held under
pressure in an aerosol dispenser
incorporating a metering device.
⢠Poropellants: liquified
hydrocarbon gases
⢠Requires careful storage as
peopellant may be volatile and
inflammable
35. Nebulisers
⢠Nebulised aerosols
delivered through a
mask
⢠Relatively large volumes
can be nebulised
⢠Mostly used in hospital
setting
⢠Useful in pediatric
population
36. Dry powder inhalers
⢠Rota inhaler, spin inhaler, disk inhaler
⢠Used for inhalation of micronized powders of
relatively potent drugs
⢠Powder is supplied in a hard gelatin capsules
⢠These devices often breath actuated-
synchronisation with breathing cycle is
automatic
⢠No dilution of drug with liquid-higher dose per
inspiration can be delivered
37.
38. LOCAL APPLICATION
SKIN
⢠Ointment
⢠Cream
⢠Powder
⢠Lotion
⢠Paste
MUCOUS
MEMBRANE
⢠Mouthwash
⢠Lozenges
⢠Gargles
⢠Spray
CAVITY
⢠Bougie
⢠Pessaries
⢠Suppository
REMEMBER IT FROM OUT TO IN ď SKIN, MUCOUS
MEMBRANE, CAVITY
39. Local
⢠Used only for localized lesions at accessible sites
⢠Systemic absorption from these sites is minimal or
absent.
⢠High concentrations are attained at the desired site
without exposing the rest of the body.
⢠Systemic side effects or toxicity are consequently
absent or minimal.
40. Topical
⢠External application of the drug to the surface for localized
action.
⢠Convenient
⢠Drugs can be efficiently delivered to the localized lesions on
skin, oropharyngeal/ nasal mucosa/ eyes, ear canal, anal canal
⢠Lotion, ointment, cream, powder,rinse, paints, drops, spray,
lozenges,suppositories
⢠Nonabsorbable drugs given orally for action on g.i. mucosa
41. Advantages of local route
Fast onset of
action
Better
concentration
at site of
action
Less quantity
is required.
Less systemic
ADR.
Disadvantages of local route
Not always
possible to
apply a drug
locally
Local
irritation
Sometimes
systemic
absorption
and toxicity
can occur
42. TRANSCUTANEUS ROUTE
⢠IONTOPHORESIS :
â Galvanic current drives the drug into deeper
tissue.
â Force of repulsion drives the drug into deeper
tissues.
â Salicylates .
45. ⢠Same drug ď different route ď different
action.
⢠Action of MgSO4.
Oral Saline laxative
Rectally Reduces Intra
cranial tension
Injection Anticonvulsant
Topical
Hygroscopic
,reduces
edema
46. ⢠A 5-year-old child is brought to the hospital with the complaint of fever,
cough, breathlessness and chest pain. On examination he is found to be
dull, but irritable with fast pulse (116/min), rapid breathing (RR 50/min)
and indrawing of lower chest during inspiration, wheezing, crepitations
and mild dehydration. Body temperature is 40°C (104°F). The paediatrician
makes a provisional diagnosis of acute pneumonia and orders relevant
haematological as well as bacteriological investigations.
⢠He decides to institute antibiotic therapy.
(a) In case he selects an antibiotic which can be given orally as well as by i.m.
or i.v. injection, which route of administration will be most appropriate in
this case?
(b) Should the paediatrician administer the antibiotic straight away or should
he wait for the laboratory reports?
47. ⢠A 35 year old male patients is suffering with
mild viral gastroenteritis. He had 3 loose
motions in previous 24 hrs. on examination he
had no signs of dehydration. He is conscious &
Cooperative
⢠No Nausea & vomiting
⢠T/T : To maintain hydration
⢠Decide route of administration
48. ⢠A 30 yr old male patients presents with
complaints of episodic breathlessness often
following exertion. After examination &
investigations, Physician make a diagnosis of
acute bronchial asthama.
⢠Drug of choice is Salbutamol
⢠Decide route of administration & Explain.
49. ⢠A 55 yr old man presentedwith complaints of
tightness & discomfort over middle part of
chest felt episodically particularly after
exertion. A diagnosis of exertional angina was
made & he was prescribed âTab glyceryl
trinitrate.
⢠Decide & explain advantages & disadvantages
of decided route of administration.