Pharmacology: Routes of Drug Administration and Adverse Drug Reactions

Fifty vocabulary-style flashcards covering routes of administration, localization, systemic delivery, and adverse drug reactions.

Routes of drug administration

The routes of drug administration encompass the meticulously selected pathways through which pharmacologically active agents are introduced into systemic circulation or taget tissues to exert their therapeutic effects.

Local route

A route that delivers the drug to a local site with minimal systemic absorption.

Systemic route

A route in which the drug enters the circulation and acts throughout the body.

Topical

External application of a drug for localized action on surface tissues.

Cutaneous

Relating to the skin; commonly refers to creams or ointments applied to the skin.

Ocular route

Delivery of drugs to the eye via drops or ointments.

Ocular drops

Liquid medications applied to the eye as drops.

Ocular ointments

Semisolid preparations applied to the eye for local or systemic effects.

Nasal route

Drug delivery via the nasal mucosa using sprays or drops.

Nasal drops

Liquid medications instilled into the nasal passages.

Buccal route

Absorption through the inner cheek mucosa.

Sublingual route

Absorption under the tongue, often rapid and systemic.

Oral (PO) route

Administration by mouth; absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.

Enteral route

Any route involving the gastrointestinal tract (oral, rectal, etc.).

Rectal (PR) route

Administration via the rectum.

Vaginal route

Delivery through vaginal mucosa using pessaries or creams.

Inhalation

Delivery to the lungs via inhaled substances (aerosols or gases).

Intra-articular

Injection into a joint space for local effects within the joint.

Infiltration

Local infiltration of anesthetic or drug into tissues near nerves for regional effect.

Retrobulbar injection

Injection behind the eyeball into the orbital space.

Depot injections

Long-acting formulations designed for extended release.

Transdermal

Patch-based systemic delivery of drugs through the skin.

Eye drops

Ophthalmic solutions or suspensions applied to the eye.

Nasal drops

Liquid medications delivered as drops into the nose.

Modified-release formulations

Formulations that release the active drug over time to modify onset and duration.

Enteric-coated formulations

Coatings that resist stomach acid and release the drug in the intestine.

First-pass metabolism

Liver metabolism of a drug before it reaches systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.

Bioavailability

Proportion of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation.

NPO status

Nil per os; patient is not allowed to take anything by mouth.

Unconscious patient

A patient condition that may necessitate non-oral routes due to risk during administration.

Solubility

The ability of a drug to dissolve; impacts absorption and formulation.

Stability

Chemical stability of a drug in a given formulation and environment.

GI tract absorption

Process by which a drug crosses the gastrointestinal lining into the bloodstream.

100% bioavailability

A scenario (typical for IV) where the entire dose reaches systemic circulation.

Localized action

Effects confined to the site of administration rather than throughout the body.

Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR)

An undesirable or harmful reaction to a drug given at normal doses.

Type A ADR (Augmented)

Augmented, dose-dependent, predictable reactions.

Type B ADR (Bizarre)

Unpredictable, idiosyncratic reactions often immune-mediated.

Type C ADR (Chronic)

Chronic or dose/time dependent reactions from long-term use.

Type D ADR (Delayed)

Effects that appear after prolonged exposure to a drug.

Type E ADR (End of treatment)

Withdrawal or rebound effects after stopping the drug.

Type F ADR

Unclassified or miscellaneous adverse reactions not covered by A–E.

Pharmacokinetic interactions

Drug interactions that alter absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.

Pharmacodynamic interactions

Drug interactions that change the drug’s effect at its target.

Slow acetylators

Genetic variant with slow metabolism via N-acetyltransferase enzymes.

HLA-linked reactions

Immune-mediated drug reactions associated with specific HLA alleles.

Excipients

Inactive ingredients in formulations that can cause allergies or adverse reactions.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Severe mucocutaneous reaction, sometimes triggered by certain drugs.

Teratogenicity

Property of a drug to disturb fetal development and cause birth defects.

Carcinogenicity

Potential of a substance to cause cancer.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose; a possible ADR with glucose-lowering drugs.

Bleeding (anticoagulants)

Increased risk of hemorrhage due to anticoagulant or antithrombotic therapy.

Anaphylaxis

Life-threatening severe allergic reaction to a drug.

Erythromycin interaction with statins

Pharmacokinetic interaction where erythromycin inhibits metabolism, increasing statin toxicity.

Narrow therapeutic index

Small margin between therapeutic and toxic drug doses.

GI irritation

Adverse GI effects such as nausea, vomiting, or dyspepsia from drugs.

Infection risk (injections)

Risk of infection at injection or IV access sites.

Extravasation

Leakage of IV fluid into surrounding tissue causing local damage.

Thrombosis/vein damage

Formation of clots or injury to veins from injections, especially IV.

Depot formulations

Long-acting drug formulations designed for slow, extended release.

Oily suspensions

Oil-based drug suspensions used for depot or poorly soluble drugs.

First-pass effect

Metabolism of a drug in the liver reducing the amount reaching systemic circulation.