Dr.U.P.

Rathnakar
MD.DIH.PGDHM
Pharmaceutical process
Drug reaches the patient
Pharmacokinetic process
What body does to the drug
Pharmacodynamic process
What drug does to the body
Pharmacotherapeutic
process
Therapeutic effect on the
patient
 Enteric-coated Tablet Capsules

Tablet

Extended-release tablets

Mixtures
 Injections

Ampoules
Vials
Inhalers Ointments/Creams; Powders
Routes of Drug Administration
Routes of Drug Administration

Route of
administration
is the path by which a
drug, is brought into
contact with the body
Routes of Drug Administration-
Classification
A. Local :
 Topical, Deep tissues, Intra-arterial
B. Systemic
Oral Enteral
Rectal r a l
a r e n t e
S.L. P
Trans Cutaneous
Injections –
 s.c, i.m, i.v., intradermal
6. Inhalation
7. Nasal
Local Route
Topical: Local action
Ointments, powders, eye drops, paints,
lozenges, unabsorbable drugs, Inhalers for
Asthma

Deeper tissues:
Intra articular, alveolar block, intrathecal

Intrarterial- Contrast media, cancer therapy

Local Route - Enema
Evacuant enema:-
Eg: Soap & water enema ,
AIM:-to remove faecal matter & flatus

Retention Enema: [Suppositories]

Local action:- Eg: Prednisolone enema in
ulcerative colitis.
Systemic action[Transrectal]:-MgSO4 to ICT.
Diazepam in epilepsy
Advantages & Disadvantages of
rectal route Vs oral
50% of the drug escapes liver.
Embarrassing, Irritation
Sublingual
Drug placed under the tongue or crushed
Advantages of S/L route-
Rapid onset
Quick termination of the drug effect
No effect of gastric juice

Disadvantages:-
8.Irritants and non-lipid soluble canot be given

Eg. Nitroglycerine , Buprenorphine,

Desaminooxytocin
Oral or Enteral route
 Advantages :
2. Safer
3. More convenient
4. Economical
5. Painless
6. Self administration possible
7. Complications of parenteral therapy avoided
Disadvantages.
9. Slow onset
10. Irritant & unpalatable drugs can not be given.
11. Vomiting, unconscious pts.- not useful
12. Drugs which are destroyed by digestive juices -- not
useful.

Tab, Cap, Syp, Enteric coated pills / tablets, Controlled

release
 PARENTERAL ROUTE
 s.c, i.m, i.v., intradermal
 ADVANTAGES
3.Unconscious & un-cooperative pt.
4.Vomiting & diarrhoea
5.Emergencies.
6.Irritant drugs (I.V.route)
7.Drugs which are destroyed by G.I.
enzymes - given safely.
PARENTERAL ROUTE….
DISADVANTAGES
Less safe
More expensive
Inconvenient
Self medication is difficult
Painful.
Chances of local tissue injury,& injury to nerves
Requires sterilization of instruments
Skilled
Inhalation:
 Pressured metered dose aerosols/inhaler-
eg.Salbutamol, Beclomethsone.

 Oxygen or compressed air driven nebulised Local

solutions- eg. Salbutamol. Action

 Dry powders from inhalers activated by

patients inhalation –eg. Salbutamol

Systemic
 Gases eg. General anaesthetics, Oxygen Action
 Metered dose inhaler Nebulizer

•To prevent dry mouth and hoarseness, rinse

mouth after each use.
•It is important to practice good oral hygiene to
prevent mouth infections
•Tooth decay ?
Injections
Intradermal :
B.C.G Vaccination;
Drug sensitivity tests.
Subcutaneous (S.C):
Only non-irritant drugs.
Insulin; Adrenaline

INTRAMUSCULAR ROUTE : (i.m)

Deltoid, Gluteus, Rectus femoris,
Mild irritants, suspensions
should not exceed 10 ml
Intradermal
i.v.injection
Intravenous
Intravenous (I.V) route. :
 Advantages
100% bioavailability
Emergencies.
Large volumes
Irritant drugs. Eg.- I.V. Nitrogen mustard
Intravenous…
Disadvantages
 Its action cannot be halted
 Local irritation can lead to phlebitis
 Self medication is difficult.
 Requires sterilization of instruments.
Precautions:
Should be given slowly.
Ensure that the needle is in the vein.
Alveolar Blocks
Transcutaneous
Iontophoresis: Galvanic current
eg:salicylates.

Jet injections:-
High velocity jet
No needle –painless
Suitable for mass inoculation.
Jet injections for insulin also available.
SYSTEM
Transdermal therapeutic
system[TTS]

Eg.
Scopolamine,
Nitroglyserine,
Nicotine.
Trans-nasal route

 Postpituitary extract in Diabetes insipidus.

GnRH, & Calcitonin

 [Nasal decongestant-Topical]
of route
Physical & chemical properties-
Solid/Liquid/Gas, Irritancy, pH
Site of desired action- Local or
systemic
Rate of absorption from a route
Effect digestive juice and First pass
metabolism
Routine or emergency
Accuracy of dosage
Condition of Pt.-Unconcious, vomiting