Routes of Drug Administration Routes of Drug Administration Diane Young, RN Health Science Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Drug Absorption  Absorption is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream without being chemically altered or  The movement of a drug from its site of application into the blood or lymphatic system

Drug Absorption  Factors which influence the rate of absorption types of transport the physicochemical properties of the drug protein binding routes of administration dosage forms circulation at the site of absorption concentration of the drug

Drug Absorption  The rate at which a drug reaches it site of action depends on: Absorption - involves the passage of the drug from its site of administration into the blood Distribution - involves the delivery of the drug to the tissues

Routes of Drug Administration The route of administration (ROA) that is chosen may have a profound effect upon the speed and efficiency with which the drug acts ImportantInfo

Drug Route’s Cont’d  The possible routes of drug entry into the body may be divided into two classes : Enteral Parenteral

Enteral Routes  Enteral - drug placed directly in the GI tract: sublingual - placed under the tongue oral - swallowing (p.o., per os) rectum - Absorption through the rectum

Sublingual/Buccal Some drugs are taken as smaller tablets which are held in the mouth or under the tongue.  Advantages rapid absorption drug stability avoid first-pass effect

Sublingual/Buccal  Disadvantages inconvenient small doses unpleasant taste of some drugs

Oral  Advantages Convenient - can be self- administered, pain free, easy to take Absorption - takes place along the whole length of the GI tract Cheap - compared to most other parenteral routes

Oral  Disadvantages Sometimes inefficient - only part of the drug may be absorbed First-pass effect - drugs absorbed orally are initially transported to the liver via the portal vein irritation to gastric mucosa - nausea and vomiting

Oral  Disadvantages cont. destruction of drugs by gastric acid and digestive juices effect too slow for emergencies unpleasant taste of some drugs unable to use in unconscious patient

First-pass Effect  The first-pass effect is the term used for the hepatic metabolism of a pharmacological agent when it is absorbed from the gut and delivered to the liver via the portal circulation. The greater the first-pass effect, the less the agent will reach the systemic circulation when the agent is administered orally

First-pass Effect

1. unconscious patients and children 2. if patient is nauseous or vomiting 3. easy to terminate exposure 4. absorption may be variable 5. good for drugs affecting the bowel such as laxatives 6. irritating drugs contraindicated Rectal

Parenteral Routes Intravascular (IV, IA)- placing a drug directly into the blood stream Intramuscular (IM) - drug injected into skeletal muscle Subcutaneous - Absorption of drugs from the subcutaneous tissues Inhalation - Absorption through the lungs

Intravascular Absorption phase is bypassed (100% bioavailability) 1.precise, accurate and almost immediate onset of action, 2. large quantities can be given, fairly pain free 3. greater risk of adverse effects a. high concentration attained rapidly b. risk of embolism c. OOPS factor or

Intramuscular 1. very rapid absorption of drugs in aqueous solution 2.repository and slow release preparations 3.pain at injection sites for certain drugs

Subcutaneous 1. slow and constant absorption 2. absorption is limited by blood flow, affected if circulatory problems exist 3. concurrent administration of vasoconstrictor will slow absorption

1.gaseous and volatile agents and aerosols 2.rapid onset of action due to rapid access to circulation a.large surface area b.thin membranes separates alveoli from circulation c.high blood flow Inhalation

Inhalation cont.  Respiratory system. Except for IN, risk hypoxia.  Intranasal (snorting) Snuff, cocaine may be partly oral via post- nasal dripping. Fairly fast to brain, local damage to septum. Some of the volatile gases also appear to cross nasal membranes.  Smoke (Solids in air suspension, vapors) absorbed across lung alveoli: Nicotine, opium, THC, freebase and crack cocaine, crystal meth.Particles or vapors dissolve in lung fluids, then diffuse. Longer action than volatile gases. Tissue damage from particles, tars, CO.  Volatile gases: Some anaesthetics (nitrous oxide, ether) [precise control], petroleum distillates. Diffusion and exhalation (alcohol).  Lung-based transfer may get drug to brain in as little as five seconds.

Topical Mucosal membranes ( eye drops, antiseptic, sunscreen, callous removal, nasal, etc.) Skin a. Dermal - rubbing in of oil or ointment (local action) b. Transdermal - absorption of drug through skin (systemic action) i. stable blood levels ii. no first pass metabolism iii. drug must be potent or patch becomes to large

 intravenous seconds  intraosseous seconds  endotracheal 2-3 minutes  inhalation 2-3 minutes  sublingual 3-5 minutes  intramuscular minutes  subcutaneous minutes  rectal 5-30 minutes  ingestion minutes  transdermal (topical) variable (minutes to hours) Route for administration -Time until effect-

Time-release preparations  Oral - controlled-release, timed- release, sustained-release designed to produce slow,uniform absorption for 8 hours or longer better compliance, maintain effect over night, eliminate extreme peaks and troughs

The ROA is determined by the physical characteristics of the drug, the speed which the drug is absorbed and/ or released, as well as the need to bypass hepatic metabolism and achieve high conc. at particular sites ImportantInfo

No single method of drug administration is ideal for all drugs in all circumstances Very Important Info!

Terminology  Side effects  Adverse effects  Toxic effects  Receptor site  Agonists  Antagonists  Site of action  Mechanism of action  FDA

Terminology cont’d  Dose-response curve  Time-response curve  Potency  Therapeutic Index  Generic name  Trade name  Prescription drugs  OTC drugs  Controlled substances

Rights  List the 5 rights in administering medication.

THAT’S IT!!