Pharmacology: Drug Administration Routes and Principles

Vocabulary flashcards covering the drug administration routes, specific dosage forms, advantages, limitations, and drug examples from the pharmacology lecture.

Drug Administration

The way (route) by which a drug is given in a specific site to a patient in a suitable dosage form to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Local Routes

Routes of drug administration where systemic absorption is minimal, systemic side effects are minimized, and the desired action is localized to an approachable site.

Topical Routes

Local routes in which a drug is applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes (such as oral, nasal, ocular, vaginal, or rectal mucosa) for local action.

Nystatin

An antifungal drug administered as an oral suspension for local treatment of oral candidiasis in the oral cavity.

Clotrimazole

A broad-spectrum antimycotic drug administered as a troche, cream, lotion, or powder for treating conditions like oral candidiasis or cutaneous candidiasis.

Acyclovir Cream

A topical cream formulation applied to the oral cavity or lips for the local treatment of herpes labialis.

Lignocaine Hydrochloride

A local anesthetic drug administered as a 5\text{\textpercent} ointment/jelly or 10\text{\textpercent} spray for topical anesthesia in the oral cavity.

Neomycin

A non-absorbable antibiotic given orally as a tablet for sterilization of the gut before surgery.

Salbutamol

An anti-asthmatic drug administered via inhalation as an aerosol (nebulized solution or fine powder) targeting the bronchi and lungs.

Intra-arterial Route

A rarely used local parenteral route employed during diagnostic studies (e.g., coronary angiography) or for administering anticancer drugs for malignancies involving limbs.

Intra-articular Injection

The injection of a drug directly into a deep joint space, such as triamcinolone acetonide for rheumatoid arthritis.

Systemic Routes

Routes of administration where drugs enter the blood circulation and produce systemic effects throughout the body.

Enteral Route

A systemic route of administration that involves the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Parenteral Route

A systemic route (derived from 'par' meaning beyond and 'enteral' meaning intestinal) referring to the injection of a drug directly into tissue fluid or blood without crossing the intestinal mucosa.

First Pass Metabolism

Presystemic elimination where an orally administered drug is destroyed or metabolized in the gut wall or liver before reaching systemic circulation.

Penicillin G

An antibiotic drug that cannot be effectively administered orally because it is destroyed by gastric juices.

Streptomycin

An antibiotic drug that is not absorbed by the oral route.

Sublingual Route

Administration of a drug under the tongue, allowing rapid absorption directly into systemic circulation while bypassing first-pass metabolism.

Buccal Route

Administration of a drug placed between the gums and cheek.

Suppository

A solid dosage form inserted into the rectum (or vagina) for local or systemic effect, such as indomethacin for rheumatoid arthritis.

Retention Enema

A liquid rectal preparation absorbed through the rectal mucous membrane to produce local or systemic effects, such as diazepam for status epilepticus in children.

Intravenous (i.v.) Route

Injection of a drug directly into a superficial vein as a bolus or slow infusion at a $25^\text{o}$ angle, producing immediate effects.

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of the injected vein with clot formation, which is a hazard associated with intravenous administration of highly irritant drugs.

Extravasation

The accidental leakage of intravenously injected drug into adjoining tissues, which can cause severe necrosis if the drug is highly irritant.

Subcutaneous (s.c.) Route

Injection of a drug into loose subcutaneous connective tissue at a $45^\text{o}$ angle; suitable for depot preparations or aqueous suspensions up to a maximum volume of $1\text{ ml}$.

Intramuscular (i.m.) Route

Injection of a drug into large skeletal muscles (e.g., deltoid, gluteus maximus) at a $90^\text{o}$ angle; less painful and suitable for depot preparations up to a maximum volume of $5\text{ ml}$.

Inhalational Route

Administration of volatile liquids or gases (e.g., general anesthetics) that are rapidly absorbed across the vast surface area of alveoli.

Cutaneous Route

Application of highly lipid-soluble drugs over the skin (e.g., Scopolamine patches) for slow, prolonged absorption into systemic circulation while bypassing the liver.