Different routes for administration of Drug

The type of route of administration play an important role in targeting the drug to the specific organ. As there are various types of routes selecting the perfect route for the particular drug is an important for quick response and desired therapeutic effect. 

In these post you will see different types of Routes for drug administration. 

1. Local Route or Topical Route:

Oral route can also be called as topical route. The local route include following formulation dusting powder, paste, lotion, creams, eye drops and plasters. The drugs can also be administered as boogie for urethra, pessary for vagina and suppository for vagina and rectum.  

For the proper absorption of the drug from local route most of the topical application prepared are in liquid or in semisolid form so they can easily be spreaded on the topical membrane. In case of corneal application, the drug may penetrate into the anterior chamber and affect the ciliary muscle e.g. cocaine. 

Enemata: 

Administration of a medicament in a liquid form into the rectum is called enema. 

enema are of two types evacuant enema and retention enema. 

Eacuant enema: e.g. soap water enema. The aim is to remove the fecal matter and the flatus. The water stimulates the rectum by distension while soap acts as a lubricant. The quantity of the fluid administered is about 600ml. The enema is usefull is treating selected cases of constipation. It is also administered before surgical operation, delivery and radiological investigation of the GI tract. 

 

Retention enema: The fluid containing the drug is retained in the rectum for local action as with prednisolone enema for ulcerative colitis; or it may act systematically after absorption through the mucous membrane. The quantity of fluid administered is usually 100-200ml. 

 

Oral or Enteral route: 

This is the most commonly employed route for drug administration. Its advantage are that it is safe, convenient and economical and the complication of perentral therapy are avoided. For the oral or enteral administration tablets, capsules and pellets are used. 

Tablets, pills or capsules are sometimes made more acceptable by various types of coating such as synthetic resins, gums, sugars, platisizers, polyhydric alcohol, waxes and coloring agent.