Introduction to parenteral products and routes of administration

1. Dr. Prashant L. Pingale
Associate Professor-Pharmaceutics
GES’s Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research,
Nashik
Introduction to Parenteral Products,
Routes of Administration

2. Learning outcomes
 On successful completion of this unit learners shall able to:
 Know in brief about parenteral preparations,
 Describe various routes of administration of drugs given through parenteral,
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3. Introduction
 Parenteral preparation are the preparation that are given by other than orally.
 Greek word: para (beside) + enteron (intestine)
 Parenterals administration should include the administration of drug by any route other
than intestine.
 Parenteral products are considered to be those sterile drugs, solutions, emulsions,
suspensions.
 Injections and transfusion fluids are come under the parental preparation.
 Injections should be sterile, isotonic, and free from the foreign particles, such as dust,
fibers etc.
 Injections are the sterile solution and suspension of drug in aqueous or oily vehicle
meant for introduction in to the body by means of an injectable needle under or through
one or more layer of skin or mucous membrane.
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4. Definition of Parenteral Products
 Parenterals are sterile preparations intended for administration under
or through one or more layers of skin or mucous membranes.
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5. 5
The Parenterals are administration of unconscious patients.
Who can not take oral administration.
They are free from pyrogen.
Low toxicity as compared to solid dosage forms.
100% bioavailability.
No chance of missing dose.

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Requirement of aseptic technique.
Requirement of trained personnel for administration.
Highly risky if any mistake at happens any point.
High cost as compared to solid dosage forms.
Can be painful.
May require additional equipment (programmable infusion devices).

7. Unique Characteristics of Parenterals
 Sterile
 Particulate-free
 Pyrogen free
 Stable for intended use
 pH – not vary significantly
 Osmotic pressure similar to blood
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8. Routes of Drug Delivery8

9. Routes of Administration
Parenteral route includes (based on Site of release):
 Subcutaneous route (Hypodermic),
 Intra muscular,
 Intra venous,
 Intradermal (Intracutaneous),
 Intra-arterial,
 Intra-cardiac,
 Intra-thecal,
 Intraosseous- into bone marrow,
 Intrapleural,
 Intraperitoneal,
 Intra-articular.
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10. Routes of Administration10
Parts of syringe
Various lengths and Gauges of Needles.
Gauge from left to right- 18,20,22,25.
The gauge refers to the inner measurement or opening of the needle.

11. Routes of Administration
 Subcutaneous:
 Subcutaneous route might be used for the arm, forearm, thigh and subscapular space.
 The volume used is 2 ml.
 Insoluble suspensions like insulin and solids might be applied by this route.
 Advantages:
 Absorption is slow and constant,
 It is hygienic.
 Disadvantages:
 It might lead to abscess formation,
 Absorption is limited by blood flow.
 Examples of drugs given by subcutaneous route:
 Insulin, adrenaline
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12. Routes of Administration
 Intramuscular route:
 Might be applied to the buttock, thigh and deltoid.
 The volume used is 3 ml.
 Advantages:
 Absorption is rapid than subcutaneous route.
 Oily preparations can be used.
 Irritative substances might be given.
 Slow releasing drugs can be given by this route.
 Disadvantages:
 Using this route might cause nerve or vein damage.
 Examples of drugs:
 Atropine, Codeine, Lorazepam, Diamorphine
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13. Routes of Administration
Intravenous injections:
 Intravenous injections might be applied to the cubital, basilic and cephalic veins.
 Advantages:
 Immediate action takes place.
 This route is preferred in emergency situations.
 This route is preferred for unconscious patients.
 Titration of dose is possible.
 Large volume of fluids might be injected by this route.
 Diluted irritant might be injected.
 Absorption is not required.
 No first pass effect takes place.
 Blood plasma or fluids might be injected.
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 Disadvantages:
 There is no retreat.
 This method is more risky.
 Sepsis-Infection might occur.
 Phlebitis (Inflammation of the blood vessel)
might occur.
 Infiltration of surrounding tissues might
result.
 This method is not suitable for oily
preparations.
 This method is not suitable for insoluble
preparations.

14. Routes of Administration
 Intradermal route:
 This route is mostly used for diagnostic purposes and is involved in:
 Schick test for Diphtheria,
 Dick test for Scarlet fever,
 Vaccines include DPT, BCG and polio,
 Sensitivity is to penicillin
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15. Routes of Administration
 Intra-arterial route:
 Administration into the artery.
 This method is used for chemotherapy in cases of malignant
tumors and in angiography.
 Vasodilator drugs in the treatment of vasospasm.
 Thrombolytic drugs in the treatment of embolism.
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16. Routes of Administration
 Intra-articular route:
 Drugs administered into the joint-space.
 Used in treatment of osteoporosis.
 Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid may be given.
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17. Routes of Administration
 Intracardiac route:
 Injection can be applied to the left ventricle in case of cardiac arrest.
 Adrenaline in cardiopulmonary attack.
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18. Routes of Administration
 Injection into bone marrow: This route may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic
purposes. Occasionally used in emergency medicine and in pediatrics when IV
route is not possible.
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19. Routes of Administration
 Intraperitoneal route: Infusion or injections into the Peritoneum Intraperitoneal
route may be used for peritoneal dialysis.
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20. Routes of Administration
 Intrathecal route:
 Administration into the spinal cord.
 Intrathecal route involves the subarachnoid space.
 Injection may be applied for the lumbar puncture, for spinal anesthesia,
pain relief, chemotherapy and for diagnostic purposes.
 This technique requires special precautions.
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21. Routes of Administration
 Intrapleural route: Penicillin may be injected in cases of lung empyma by
intrapleural route.
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