Overview of routes of drug administration with advantages and disadvantages

General
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Overview of routes of drug administration with their advantages and disadvantages

  • Oral

    Advantages:- Convenient, non-invasive, cost-effective, suitable for self-administration.

    Disadvantages:- Slower onset, variable absorption, not suitable if vomiting or unconscious, drug inactivation by gastric acid.

  • Intravenous (IV)

    Advantages:- Rapid onset, precise control over dosage, 100% bioavailability.

    Disadvantages:- Requires skilled personnel, risk of infection, invasive, more costly.

  • Intramuscular (IM)

    Advantages:-Moderate onset, useful for depot preparations, can be used when veins are inaccessible.

    Disadvantages:-Painful, limited volume, risk of nerve or tissue injury.

  • Subcutaneous

    Advantages:-Slow, sustained absorption, useful for insulin, vaccines.

    Disadvantages:-Limited to small volumes, may be painful or cause irritation.

  • Inhalation

    Advantages:-Rapid absorption, useful for respiratory conditions, lower systemic side effects.

    Disadvantages:-Technique-dependent, unsuitable for some drugs, risk of local irritation.

  • Topical

    Advantages:-Localised effect, minimizes systemic side effects.

    Disadvantages:-Limited to surface applications, variable absorption, risk of skin reactions.

  • Transdermal

    Advantages:-Sustained release, non-invasive, user-friendly.

    Disadvantages:-Limited to drugs that penetrate skin, risk of skin irritation.

  • Rectal

    Advantages:-Useful for unconscious or vomiting patients, partial avoidance of first-pass metabolism.

    Disadvantages:-Uncomfortable, variable absorption, may cause local irritation.

  • Sublingual/Buccal

    Advantages:-Rapid absorption, bypasses first-pass metabolism.

    Disadvantages:-Limited to small doses, not suitable for all drugs, unpleasant taste.

  • Ophthalmic/Nasal

    Advantages:-Localised effect, minimises systemic exposure.

    Disadvantages:-Difficult administration, local irritation, small doses only.

MBH/AB

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Very informative I have learned it throughout the pharamcy syllabus and that the base

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:pushpin: Great overview! To add, the choice of drug administration route depends on:

:small_blue_diamond: Clinical urgency – IV is lifesaving in emergencies, while oral works for routine therapy.

:small_blue_diamond: Patient condition – Sublingual is preferred in angina for rapid effect; rectal route helps in unconscious/vomiting patients.

:small_blue_diamond: Drug properties – Lipid-soluble drugs can go transdermal, while protein/peptide drugs like insulin need parenteral routes.

:small_blue_diamond: Convenience & compliance – Oral and transdermal are patient-friendly, but invasive routes need skilled professionals.

:light_bulb: In practice, balancing speed, safety, comfort, and drug stability helps decide the best route for therapy.

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Very brief but well explained! Thank you for sharing.

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Basics of medicines.
Thanks for sharing

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Route of administration is the main thing that makes a drug work effectively.

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Got glimpse of necessary information.

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This overview is really helpful for understanding how drugs are given in different ways. Each route has its own pros and cons depending on the patient’s condition and the drug type. Oral is easy but slow, while IV works fast but needs skill. I liked how it covered even less common routes like rectal and nasal. It’s a good reminder that choosing the right method is important for safety and effectiveness. Great summary for quick revision

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Rightly put.

I appreciate your response.