ROUTES OF DRUG

ADMINISTRATION

I. ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ADVANTAGES:
Most convenient
Usually less expensive
Safe
Administration does not cause stress

I. ORAL ADMINISTRATION
DISADVANTAGES:
Inappropriate in nausea and vomiting
May have unpleasant taste and/or odor
Inappropriate when GIT has reduced motility
If client cannot swallow or is unconcious
May discolor teeth*
May irritate gastric mucosa
Can be aspirated by seriously ill patients

I. ORAL ADMINISTRATION
DRUG FORMS:
a. Solid: tablet, capsule, pill, powder
b. Liquid: syrup, suspension, emulsion, milk or
other alkaline substances
Notes:
Enteric coated tablets should not be crushed
Suspensions are not administered intravenously
If the patient vomits within 20-30 mins of taking
the drug, notify the physician.

II. SUBLINGUAL ADMINISTRATION

ADVANTAGES:
Same as oral
Local effect
Rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream
Ensure greater potency

II. SUBLINGUAL ADMINISTRATION

DISADVANTAGES:
If swallowed, drug may be inactivated by gastric
juice
Drug must remain under the tongue until
dissolved and absorbed

III. BUCCAL ADMINISTRATION

ADVANTAGES:
Same as oral
Local effect
Rapidly absorbed
Greater potency

III. BUCCAL ADMINISTRATION

DISADVANTAGES:
If swallowed, drug may be inactivated by gastric
juice
Drug must remain under the tongue until
dissolved and absorbed

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

a)

Dermatologic
Wash and pat dry area.
Surgical asepsis on open wounds
Wear gloves or use applicators
Remove previous applications before next
applications
Apply only a thin layer of medication

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

b) Opthalmic
b.1) Instillations
b.2) Irrigations
Sitting or lying
Clean the eyelids and eyelashes. STERILE technique
Instill medications into LOWER conjunctival sac
Close eyes gently
Press firmly on the naso-lacrimal duct

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

c) Otic
c.1) Instillations
To soften earwax
To reduce inflammation and treat infection
To relieve pain
c.2) Irrigations
To remove cerumen
To apply heat
To remove foreign object/s

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

c) Otic
Warm solution
Side-lying position
Clean the pinna and the meatus of the ear
Straighten the ear canal
Press gently but firmly a few times on the tragus
Ask client to remain side-lying position

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

d) Nasal
Have the client blow the nose prior to
medication
Back lying position
Elevate the nares by pressing the clients tip of
the nose
Keep the head tilted backward for 5 minutes
For sinus instillations
- Parkinsons frontal and maxillary

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

e) Inhalation
Semi or high-fowlers
If MDIs maximum of 2 puffs

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

f) Vaginal
Advantages:
Provides local therapeutic effect
Disadvantages:
Limited use
> Drug forms: tablet, cream, jelly, foam, suppository

IV. TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION

f) Vaginal
Vaginal irrigation
Empty the bladder before procedure
Position and drape the client*
Irrigating container should be 30 cm (12 in)
above
Ask client to remain in bed for 5-10 mins after

V. RECTAL ADMINISTRATION
ADVANTAGE:
Drug has objectionable taste or odor
DISADVANTAGE:
Dose absorbed is unpredictable

Suppositories tend to soften at room temperature

Use glove for insertion
Lie on left side and ask client to breathe
Have client remain on side for 20 minutes after
insertion