Route of administration

A route of administration in pharmacology and toxicology is the path by which a drug, fluid, poison, or other substance is taken into the body.[1] Routes of administration are generally classified by the location at which the substance is applied. Common examples include oral and intravenous administration. Routes can also be classified based on where the target of action is. Action may be topical (local), enteral (system-wide effect, but delivered through the gastrointestinal tract), or parenteral (systemic action, but delivered by routes other than the GI tract).

Classification

Routes of administration are usually classified by application location (or exposition). The route or course the active substance takes from application location to the location where it has its target effect is usually rather a matter of pharmacokinetics (concerning the processes of uptake, distribution, and elimination of drugs). Nevertheless, some routes, especially the transdermal or transmucosal routes, are commonly referred to routes of administration. The location of the target effect of active substances are usually rather a matter of pharmacodynamics (concerning e.g. the physiological effects of drugs[2]). Furthermore, there is also a classification of routes of administration that basically distinguishes whether the effect is local (in "topical" administration) or systemic (in "enteral" or "parenteral" administration).

Application location

Gastrointestinal/enteral

Administration through the gastrointestinal tract is sometimes termed enteral or enteric administration (literally meaning 'through the intestines'). Enteral/enteric administration usually includes oral[3] (through the mouth) and rectal (into the rectum)[3] administration, in the sense that these are taken up by the intestines. However, uptake of drugs administered orally may also occur already in the stomach, and as such gastrointestinal (along the gastrointestinal tract) may be a more fitting term for this route of administration. Furthermore, some application locations often classified as enteral, such as sublingual[3] (under the tongue) and sublabial or buccal (between the cheek and gums/gingiva), are taken up in the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract without reaching the intestines. Strictly enteral administration (directly into the intestines) can be used for systemic administration, as well as local (sometimes termed topical), such as in a contrast enema, whereby contrast media is infused into the intestines for imaging. However, for the purposes of classification based on location of effects, the term enteral is reserved for substances with systemic effects.

Many drugs as tablets, capsules, or drops are taken orally. Administration methods directly into the stomach include those by gastric feeding tube or gastrostomy. Substances may also be placed into the small intestines, as with a duodenal feeding tube and enteral nutrition.Some enteric coated tablets will not dissolve in stomach but it is directed to the intestine because the drug present in the enteric coated tablet causes irritation in the stomach.

The rectal route is an effective route of administration for many medications, especially those used at the end of life.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The walls of the rectum absorb many medications quickly and effectively.[11] Medications delivered to the distal one-third of the rectum at least partially avoid the "first pass effect" through the liver, which allows for greater bio-availability of many medications than that of the oral route. Rectal mucosa is highly vascularized tissue that allows for rapid and effective absorption of medications.[12] In hospice care, a specialized rectal catheter, designed to provide comfortable and discreet administration of ongoing medications provides a practical way to deliver and retain liquid formulations in the distal rectum, giving health practitioners a way to leverage the established benefits of rectal administration.

Central nervous system

Other locations

Local or systemic effect

Routes of administration can also basically be classified whether the effect is local (in topical administration) or systemic (in enteral or parenteral administration):

Topical

Enteral

In this classification system, enteral administration is administration that involves any part of the gastrointestinal tract (enteric system) and has systemic effects:

Parenteral

Any route that is not enteral (par- + enteral), including:

Choice of route of administration

The options are limited by the available forms of any given drug. Still, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider with any route of administration.

Oral

The oral route is generally the most convenient and carries the lowest cost.[21] However, some drugs can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation.[22] For drugs that come in delayed release or time-release formulations, breaking the tablets or capsules can lead to more rapid delivery of the drug than intended.[21]

Topical

By delivering drugs almost directly to the site of action, the risk of systemic side effects is reduced.[21] However, skin irritation may result, and for some forms such as creams or lotions, the dosage is difficult to control .[22]

Inhalation

Inhaled medications can be absorbed quickly, and act both locally and systemically.[22] Proper technique with inhaler devices is necessary to achieve the correct dose. Some medications can have an unpleasant taste or irritate the mouth.[22]

Inhalation by smoking a substance is likely the most rapid way to deliver drugs to the brain, as the substance travels directly to the brain without being diluted in the systemic circulation.[23] The severity of dependence on psychoactive drugs tends to increase with more rapid drug delivery.[23]

Injection

The term injection encompasses intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administration.[24]

Injections act rapidly, with onset of action in 15–30 seconds for IV, 10–20 minutes for IM, and 15–30 minutes for SC.[25] They also have essentially 100% bioavailability, and can be used for drugs that are poorly absorbed or ineffective when given orally.[21] Some medications, such as certain antipsychotics, can be administered as long-acting intramuscular injections.[26] Ongoing IV infusions can be used to deliver continuous medication or fluids.[27]

Disadvantages of injections include potential pain or discomfort for the patient, and the requirement of trained staff using aseptic techniques for administration.[21] However, in some cases patients are taught to self-inject, such as SC injection of insulin in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. As the drug is delivered to the site of action extremely rapidly with IV injection, there is a risk of overdose if the dose has been calculated incorrectly, and there is an increased risk of side effects if the drug is administered too rapidly.[21]

Uses

See also

References

  1. ↑ TheFreeDictionary.com > route of administration Citing: Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2005, Elsevier.
  2. ↑ Lees P, Cunningham FM, Elliott J (2004). "Principles of pharmacodynamics and their applications in veterinary pharmacology". J. Vet. Pharmacol. Ther. 27 (6): 397–414. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2004.00620.x. PMID 15601436.
  3. 1 2 3 "Oklahoma Administrative Code and Register > 195:20-1-3.1. Pediatric conscious sedation utilizing enteral methods (oral, rectal, sublingual)". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  4. ↑ Davis MP, Walsh D, LeGrand SB, Naughton M (2002). "Symptom control in cancer patients: the clinical pharmacology and therapeutic role of suppositories and rectal suspensions". Support Care Cancer 10 (2): 117–38. doi:10.1007/s00520-001-0311-6.
  5. ↑ De Boer AG, Moolenaar F, de Leede LG, Breimer DD (1982). "Rectal drug administration: clinical pharmacokinetic considerations". Clin Pharmacokinetics 7 (4): 285–311. doi:10.2165/00003088-198207040-00002. PMID 6126289.
  6. ↑ Van Hoogdalem EJ, de Boer AG, Breimer DD (1991). "Pharmacokinetics of rectal drug administration, Part 1". Clin Pharmakokinet 21 (1): 11–26. doi:10.2165/00003088-199121010-00002.
  7. ↑ Van Hoogdalem EJ, de Boer AG, Breimer DD (1991). "Pharmacokinetics of rectal drug administration, Part 2". Clin Pharmakokinet 21 (2): 110–128. doi:10.2165/00003088-199121020-00003.
  8. ↑ Moolenaar F, Koning B, Huizinga T (1979). "Biopharmaceutics of rectal administration of drugs in man. Absorption rate and bioavailability of phenobarbital and its sodium salt from rectal dosage forms". International Journal of Pharmacaceutics 4: 99–109. doi:10.1016/0378-5173(79)90057-7.
  9. ↑ Graves NM, Holmes GB, Kriel RL, Jones-Saete C, Ong B, Ehresman DJ (1989). "Relative bioavailability of rectally administered phenobarbital sodium parenteral solution". DICP, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 23: 565–568.
  10. ↑ Moolenaar S, Bakker S, Visser J, Huizinga T (1980). "Biophamacutics of rectal administration of drugs in man IX. Comparative biopharmaceutics of diazepam after single rectal, oral, intramuscular and intravenous administration in man". International Journal of Pharmaceutics 5: 127–137. doi:10.1016/0378-5173(80)90017-4.
  11. ↑ Nee, Douglas, Pharm D, MS. "Rectal Administration of Medications at the End of Life". HPNA Teleconference, December 6, 2006, accessed November 2013.
  12. ↑ Use of Rectal Meds for Palliative Care Patients. End of Life / Palliative Education Resource Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
  13. ↑ "MDMA (ecstasy) metabolites and neurotoxicity: No occurrence of MDMA neurotoxicity from metabolites when injected directly into brain, study shows". Neurotransmitter.net. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  14. ↑ Firth, G; Oliver, S; Uttley, D; O'Laoire, S (2010-07-06). "A potential application for the intracerebral injection of drugs entrapped within liposomes in the treatment of human cerebral gliomas". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 48 (12): 1213–1219. doi:10.1136/jnnp.48.12.1213. PMC 1028604. PMID 2418156. Missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  15. ↑ "Blood–brain barrier changes following intracerebral injection of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α in the rat". Springerlink.com. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  16. ↑ "Acute Decreases in Cerebrospinal Fluid Glutathione Levels after Intracerebroventricular Morphine for Cancer Pain". Anesthesia-analgesia.org. 1999-06-22. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  17. 1 2 "Fenway Community Health". Fenway Health. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  18. ↑ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary > topical. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  19. ↑ thefreedictionary.com > topical Citing: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000
  20. ↑ Malenka, Eric J. Nestler, Steven E. Hyman, Robert C. (2009). Molecular neuropharmacology : a foundation for clinical neuroscience (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-0-07-148127-4.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Administration of Medicines". Nursing Practice Clinical Zones: Prescribing. NursingTimes.net. 2007. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "DDS Medication Administration Recertification Manual" (PDF). DDS Recertification Review Manual. State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  23. 1 2 Quinn DI Wodak A Day RO (1997). "Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles of Illicit Drug Use and Treatment of Illicit Drug Users". Clinical Pharmacokinetics (Springer) 33 (5): 344–400. doi:10.2165/00003088-199733050-00003. PMID 9391747.
  24. ↑ http://www.ismp.org/Tools/errorproneabbreviations.pdf
  25. ↑ "Routes for Drug Administration" (PDF). Emergency Treatment Guidelines Appendix. Manitoba Health. 2003. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  26. ↑ Stahl SM, Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008
  27. ↑ Smeltzer SC Bare BG, Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 9th ed, Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2000

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