Forms and routes

Question 1

what does drug delivery depend on

Answer 1

• nature of drug and how it is used
• different routes affect how quickly drug acts and how long it will last
• use by one route - effective; another route - ineffective

Question 2

what are the 3 major routes of drug delivery

Answer 2

• enteral (via GI tract)
• parenteral (anything injectable)
• topical (something on a surface)

Question 3

what does the enteral route of delivery break down into (subroutes)

Answer 3

• oral: by mouth
• buccal: across membranes of the mouth (cheeks)
• sublingual: under the tongue
• rectal: by suppositories or enema

Question 4

what does the parenteral route of delivery break down into (subroutes)

Answer 4

• intravenous: into the venous circulation
• intra-arterial: into the arterial circulation (regional circulation)
• intracoronary: into the coronary circulation
• intradermal: into the dermis of the skin; intracutaneous
• subcutaneous: under the skin; into the hypodermis
• intramuscular: into the muscles
• intrathecal: into the spinal subarachnoid space
• intraosseus: into the bone
• epidural: into the space overlying the dura mater
• intraperitoneal: into the abdominal cavity
• intrasynovial: into the joint

Question 5

what does the topical route of delivery break down into (subroutes)

Answer 5

• transcutaneous: across the skin
• transdermal: across the dermis
• transmucosal: across mucous membranes
• ophthalmic: onto membranes of the eyes
• otic: onto membranes of the deeper ear
• vaginal: onto membranes of the vagina
• intrauterine: onto membranes of the uterus lining

Question 6

what are the different forms of solid dosages for drugs

Answer 6

• tablets
• capsules
• enteric-coated tablets
• orally disintegrating tablets
• extended-release
• suppositories
• dental pastes
• ointments

Question 7

what are the different forms of liquid dosages for drugs

Answer 7

• solutions (chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse)
• suspensions (amoxicillin suspension)
• emulsions
• elixirs (dexamethasone)
• syrups (cough syrup)

Question 8

what are the different forms of topical dosages for drugs

Answer 8

• subgingival

- placement of medicaments into the gingival crevice

Question 9

what are some advantages of the oral route

Answer 9

• convenient
• easy to tolerate
• safe
• simple to administer
• fractional doses can be taken by splitting scored tablets
• most common
• not need to be measured
• less expensive

Question 10

what are some disadvantages of the oral route

Answer 10

• delayed onset, do not work as quickly as parenterals
• may be altered by food
• delayed absorption due to food and drink in the stomach
• may be destroyed by digestive enzymes or GI fluids
• for liquids, potential unpleasant taste
• for controlled-release formulations, cannot be split or crushed

Question 11

what is the sublingual route of administration

Answer 11

• oral administration in which a drug is placed under the tongue and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream

Question 12

what is the buccal route of administration

Answer 12

• oral administration in which a drug is placed between the gum and the inner lining of the cheek; also called transmucosal route of administration

Question 13

what are some advantages to the rectal route of administration

Answer 13

• the patient can be unconscious; good for people with nausea and vomiting and for children who cannot swallow
• requires less breakdown by liver
• avoid destructive enzymes of stomach, mouth and small intestine
• rapid onset of action
• designed to melt when inserted into a body orifice
• local effect

Question 14

what are some disadvantages to the rectal route of administration

Answer 14

• they are uncomfortable and the actual amount of drug absorbed is unpredictable

Question 15

what are parenterals

Answer 15

• some medications must be administered via the parenteral route because their molecules are too large or are broken down too quickly
• drugs are distributed systemically by injection or catheter

Question 16

what are some advantages of the parenteral route

Answer 16

• can deliver high concentrations of medication at once or over long period of time
• can be administered to almost any organ or part of the body
• acts quickly
• work within a few minutes
• important for emergency situations, for combative persons
• for persons unable to swallow

Question 17

what are some disadvantages of the parenteral route

Answer 17

• possible injury from needle insertion
• potential for introducing toxic agents into the body (increased risk of infection)
• must be administered carefully to avoid introduction of air bubbles or particulates
• injections are more expensive
• require preparation and administration by trained personnel
• little time to alter dose after injected (i.e. if an allergic reaction takes place or too much drug is given)

Question 18

what are some advantages of the topical route

Answer 18

• works quickly
• produces a therapeutic effect that is localized
• provides fast relief
• has fewer side effects than with a systemic medication
• easy application
• can also be systemic

Question 19

pros and cons of ointments

Answer 19

• pro: good for extremely dry areas

- con: greasy feel

Question 20

pros and cons of transdermal

Answer 20

• pro: steady level of drug, good compliance

- con: costly, occasional skin irritation

Question 21

what routes can produce a systemic effect rather than local

Answer 21

• oral (by mouth)
• sublingual (under the tongue)
• buccal (between gum and cheek)

Question 22

what is a systemic effect

Answer 22

• the distribution of a drug throughout the body by absorption into the bloodstream