20/04/2025
1. Oral (PO)
Description: Medications are taken by mouth and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
Examples: Tablets, capsules, liquids.
Advantages: Convenient, non-invasive, easy to administer.
Disadvantages: Slower onset of action, affected by food, digestive disorders.
2. Intravenous (IV)
Description: Drugs are administered directly into a vein, providing rapid absorption.
Examples: IV fluids, antibiotics, pain relief.
Advantages: Fastest onset of action, precise control over dosage.
Disadvantages: Risk of infection, requires trained personnel.
3. Intramuscular (IM)
Description: Medications are injected into a muscle, from where they are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Examples: Vaccines, certain painkillers.
Advantages: Faster than oral administration, relatively easy to administer.
Disadvantages: Can be painful, absorption rate can vary.
4. Subcutaneous (SC or SubQ)
Description: Drugs are injected just beneath the skin and absorbed slowly into the bloodstream.
Examples: Insulin, heparin.
Advantages: Slower, sustained release of medication, can be self-administered.
Disadvantages: Slow onset, small volume of drug can be injected.
5. Topical
Description: Medications are applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes.
Examples: Creams, ointments, transdermal patches.
Advantages: Direct effect on a localized area, minimal systemic side effects.
Disadvantages: Limited to localized treatment, potential skin irritation.
6. Inhalation
Description: Drugs are inhaled into the lungs, where they are rapidly absorbed.
Examples: Asthma inhalers, nebulizers.
Advantages: Rapid onset, local effects on the lungs.
Disadvantages: Requires proper technique for effective delivery, may irritate the airways.
7. Sublingual (SL)
Description: Drugs are placed under the tongue, where they are absorbed through the mucous membranes.
Examples: Nitroglycerin tablets.
Advantages: Rapid absorption, bypasses the digestive system.
Disadvantages: Limited to certain types of drugs, can cause irritation in the mouth.
8. Re**al (PR)
Description: Drugs are administered through the re**um, where they are absorbed by the re**al mucosa.
Examples: Suppositories, enemas.
Advantages: Useful when oral administration is not possible (e.g., vomiting, unconscious patients).
Disadvantages: May cause discomfort, absorption can be unpredictable.
9. Intrathecal and Epidural
Description: Drugs are injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (intrathecal) or around the spinal cord (epidural) for direct action on the nervous system.
Examples: Pain medications, anesthesia.
Advantages: Provides targeted treatment to the central nervous system.
Disadvantages: Risk of infection, requires skilled administrati
10. Intraperitoneal (IP)
Description: Drugs are injected into the peritoneal cavity, where they are absorbed by the lining of the abdomen.
Examples: Used mainly in animal studies and some cancer treatments.
Advantages: Direct access to abdominal organs.
Disadvantages: Risk of infection, not commonly used in humans.