Routes of Administration

Possible Onset Common

Route Description Group Effects Advantage Disadvantage
drug forms of action examples

Administration to or by way Local or

Oral Enteral Tablet Slow Convenience Large dose required Acetaminophen
of the mouth systemic

Administration beneath Avoids first-pass Only suitable for

Sublingual Enteral Tablet Fast Systemic Nitroglycerin
the tongue metabolism small doses

Local or Useful for patients unable Variable drug

Rectal Administration to the rectum Enteral Suppository Slow Promethazine
systemic to swallow drugs absorption

Solution Can produce unwanted

Nasal Administration to the nose Topical Fast Local Convenience Azelastine
(spray) systemic effects

Solution
Administration to the Only suitable for
Ocular Topical (spray or Fast Local Convenience Tetrahydrozoline
external eye small doses
drops)

Administration within the

Local or Can produce unwanted
Inhalation respiratory tract by inhaling Topical Aerosol Rapid Rapid response Salbutamol
systemic systemic effects
via the nose and/or mouth

Administration through Can cause irritation and

Lotion or Can achieve sustained
Transdermal the skin to the Transdermal Slow Systemic only suitable for a small Nicotine
patch release of drugs
systemic circulation number of drugs

Can be painful and

Administration beneath Solution Can be administered
Subcutaneous Parenteral Fast Systemic tissue damage Insulin
the skin (injection) by patient
can occur

Cannot be administered
Administration within Solution Can achieve sustained
Intramuscular Parenteral Fast Systemic by patient and can Haloperidol
a muscle (injection) release of drugs
be painful

Solution
Administration within or into Increased risk of
Intravenous Parenteral (injection or Rapid Systemic Immediate response Ketamine
a vein or veins infection and toxicity
infusion)

Administration within the Solution

Intrathecal Parenteral Rapid Systemic Rapid response Painful Baclofen
cerebrospinal fluid (injection)

Other routes of administration.