ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

BY

Dr. SAMINATHAN KAYAROHANAM

M.PHARM, M.B.A, PhD

1
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Define and discuss basic concepts of Dosage form.
 Understand the basic classification of dosage form.
 Able to describe the various route of admonition.
 Describe the oral route of administration
 Describe the oral route of administration
 Describe the inhalational of administration
 Describe the parenteral injection of administration
 Describe the topical route of administration
 Describe the rectal of administration
 Demonstrate the advantage and disadvantage of various route
of administration.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 2
 TABLE OF CONTENT
S.NO TITLE PAGE

1 OVERVIEW OF DOSAGE FORM 4

2 CLASSIFICATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL 5
DOSAGE FORMS ACCORDING TO
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3 ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION 6

4 CLASSIFICATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL 7
DOSAGE FORMS ACCORDING TO ROUTE
OF ADMINISTRATION
5 ADVANTAGS AND DISADVANTAGES OF 20
VARIOUS ROUTE OF ADMISTRATION

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)

3
 1. OVERVIEW DOSAGE FORM
1. A dosage form (DF) is the physical form of a dose of
a chemical compound used as a drug or medication
intended for administration or consumption.

2. Common dosage forms include pill, tablet, or

capsule, drink or syrup, aerosol or inhaler, liquid
injection, pure powder or solid crystal

3. Various dosage forms may exist for a single

particular drug, since different medical
conditions can warrant different routes of
administration.
4. For example : - inhalational, buccal, sublingual,
nasal, suppository, or parenteral instead.
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 4
 2. CLASSIFICATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL
DOSAGE FORMS ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

1. SOLID DOSAGE FORMS

2. LIQUID DOSAGE FORMS
3. SEMISOLID DOSAGE FORMS
4. GASEOUS DOSAGE FORMS

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 5

 3.ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

1. Routes of administration are usually classified by

application location (or exposition).

2. The route or course the active substance takes from

application location to the location where it has its
target effect is usually rather a matter of
pharmacokinetics (concerning the processes of
uptake, distribution, and elimination of drugs).

3. Nevertheless, some routes, especially the

transdermal or transmucosal routes, are commonly
referred to routes of administration.

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 6

 Factors Governing Choice of Route
• Physical and chemical properties of the drug

• Site of desired action

• Rate and extent of drug absorption

• Effect of digestion and first pass metabolism

• Rapidity of response desired

• Accuracy of dosage required

• Condition Of patient

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 7
 4. Classification of pharmaceutical
dosage forms according to
Route of administration
1.ORAL

2.INHALATIONAL

3.PARENTERAL INJECTION

4.TOPICAL

5.RECTAL
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 8
 1.ORAL

1. Pill, tablet, or capsule

2. Specialty tablet like buccal, sublingual, or orally-

disintegrating

3. Thin film (e.g., Listerine PocketPaks)

4. Liquid solution or suspension (e.g., drink or

syrup)

5. Powder or liquid or solid crystals

6. Natural or herbal plant, seed, or food of sorts

(e.g., marijuana such as that found in "special
brownies")
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 9
 2.INHALATIONAL

1. Aerosol

2. Inhaler

3. Nebulizer

4. Smoking (often in natural herb (e.g., tobacco,

marijuana) or freebase powder form (e.g.,
cocaine, methamphetamine)

5. Vaporizer (usually to vaporize natural herbs like

marijuana)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 10

 3. PARENTERAL INJECTION

1. Intradermal (ID)

2. Intramuscular (IM)

3. Intraosseous (IR)

4. Intraperitoneal (IP)

5. Intravenous (IV)

6. Subcutaneous (SC)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 11

 4. TOPICAL

1. Cream, gel, liniment or balm, lotion, or ointment, etc

2. Ear drops (otic)

3. Eye drops (ophthalmic)

4. Skin patch (transdermal)

5.SUPPOSITORY
1. Rectal (e.g., enema)

2. Vaginal (e.g., douche, pessary, etc)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 12
 A)Solids 1)Pill 2)Tablet 3)Capsule 4)Osmotic
(i) Digestive controlled release capsule (OROS)5) Soft gel
tract (enteral)
B) Liquids 6)Solution 7)Suspension 8)Emulsion
9)Syrup 10)Elixir 11)Tincture 12) Hydro gel

(ii) Buccal / A) Solids 13)Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT) 14)Film

Sublabial / 15) Lollipop 16) Lozenges 17)Chewing gum
Sublingual
B)Liquids 18)Mouthwash 19)Toothpaste 20)Ointment
21)Oral spray
(1) ORAL

A)Solids 22) Smoking device 23)Dry Powder Inhaler

(DPI)
(iii) Respiratory
tract B)Liquids 23) pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler
(pMDI) 24) Nebulizer 25) Vaporizer

C) Gas 26) Oxygen mask 27)Oxygen concentrator

Anesthetic machine 28) Relative analgesia
machine
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 13
 (29) Nasal spray

(30) Ear drops

(31) Eye drops

(2) OCULAR / (32) Ointment
OTOLOGIC /
NASAL (33) Hydrogel

(34) Nanosphere suspension

(35) Mucoadhesive microdisc

(microsphere tablet)

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 14

 (36) Ointment

(37) Pessary (vaginal suppository)

(38) Vaginal ring

(3) UROGENITAL (39) Vaginal douche

(40) Intrauterine device (IUD)

(41) Extra-amniotic infusion

Intravesical infusion

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 15

 (42) Ointment

(43) Suppository
(4) RECTAL
(44) Enema
(ENTERAL)
(Solution , Hydro gel)

(45) Murphy drip

(46) Nutrient enema

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 16

 (47) Ointment
(48) Liniment
(49) Paste
(50) Film
(51) Hydrogel
(52) Liposomes
(53) Transfersome vesicals
(54) Cream
(5) DERMAL (55) Lotion
(56) Lip balm
(57) Medicated shampoo
(58) Dermal patch
(59) Transdermal patch
(60) Transdermal spray
(61) Jet injector
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 17
 (62) Intradermal
Skin (63)Subcutaneous
(64)Transdermal implant
(65) Intracavernous (base of the penis)
Organs (66) Intravitreal (inside the eye)
(67) Transscleral (Across the sclera, or
(6) INJECTION / white, of the eye)
INFUSION
(into tissue/blood) (68) Intrathecal(injection into the spinal canal)
Central nervous (69) Intracerebral
system (70) Epidural

(71) Intravenous
(72) Intra-cardiac
Circulatory / (73) Intramuscular
Musculoskeletal (74) Intraosseous (marrow of a bone)
(75) Intraperitoneal
(76) Nano cell injection
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 18
1. Intraarterial (into an artery), e.g. vasodilator drugs in the treatment
of embolism
2. Intraarticular, into a joint space. Used in treating osteoarthritis
3. Intracardiac (into the heart), e.g. adrenaline during cardiopulmonary
resuscitation
4. Intracavernous injection, an injection into the base of the penis
5. Intradermal, (into the skin itself) is used for skin testing some allergens,
6. Intralesional (into a skin lesion), e.g. acne medication
7. Intramuscular (into a muscle), e.g. many vaccines, antibiotics
8. Intraocular, into the eye, e.g., some medications for glaucoma or eye
neoplasms
9. Intraosseous infusion (into the bone marrow)
10. Intraperitoneal, (infusion or injection into the peritoneum) e.g. peritoneal
dialysis
11. Intrathecal (into the spinal canal) is most commonly used for
spinal anesthesia and chemotherapy
12. Intrauterine
13. Intravaginal administration, in the vagina
14. Intravenous (into a vein), e.g. many drugs, total parenteral nutrition
15. Intravesical infusion is into the urinary bladder.
16. Intravitreal, through the eye
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 19
5. ADVANTAGS AND DISADVANTAGES OF VARIOUS
ROUTE OF ADMISTRATION

ORAL ROUTE
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Safe Slow absorption
Slow action
Convenient
Irritable and
Economical unpalatable drugs
Can be self Un co-operative
administered and unconscious
Painless patients
Some drugs
destroyed
First-pass effect
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A 20
 SUBLINGUAL ROUTE
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
•Economical •Unpalatable & bitter
drugs
•Drug absorption is quick
•Irritation of oral mucosa
•First-pass avoided
•Large quantities not given
•Quick termination-Spit off
•Can be self administered

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A
(Ph.D) Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A 21
(Ph.D)
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 22
 RECTAL ROUTE

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Used in children
Embarrassing
Little first pass effect
Inconvenient
Used in
Absorption is
vomiting/unconscious slow and erratic
Higher concentrations
Irritation or
rapidly achieved inflammation of
Can use gastric rectal mucosa can
irritants occur
23
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A
(Ph.D)
SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION
Site: Injection under skin

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Smooth but slow
absorption • small volume(1 ml)
• depot • irritant drugs-
injections/implants sloughing and
• Examples necrosis
• Local effect- Local • not suitable in shock
anaesthetic
• Systemic-Insulin
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 24
 INTRAMUSULAR ROUTE
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

•Absorption •Only upto 10ml drug

reasonably uniform given
•Rapid onset of •Local pain and
action abscess
•Mild irritants can •Expensive
be given •Nerve damage
•First pass avoided
•Gastric factors can
be avoided
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 25
 INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Bypass first pass
metabolism(100%) • Antiseptic conditions
• Quick onset of action • Depend on others
• In uncooperative and • Painful and risky
unconscious patients • Embolism
• those with nausea and • Suspensions/oily
vomiting drugs/depots cant be
• hypertonic solutions and given
irritants • Venous thrombosis and
• large volumes phlebitis
• amount of drug can be • Necrosis due to
controlled accurately extravasation
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
26
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 27
 INTRA-ARTERIAL
• Site: Lumen of artery
• ADVANTAGE: Greater concentration of
the drug can be delivered
• DISADVANTAGE: Expertise and
asepsis
• Examples: Radiopaque contrast for
coronary angiography and cerebral
angiography
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 28
 INTRA-ARTERIAL
• Site: Lumen of artery
• ADVANTAGE: Greater concentration of
the drug can be delivered
• DISADVANTAGE: Expertise and
asepsis
• Examples: Radiopaque contrast for
coronary angiography and cerebral
angiography
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 29
 INTRAPERITONEAL
• Site-Peritoneal space

• ADVANTAGE -Rapid
absorption-large
surface area

• DISADVANTAGE -
Painful,Risky,Adhesion
s,Peritonitis
• Example: Dialyzing fluid-
poisoning and renal
failure
• In lab animals

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 30

 INTRATHECAL (INTRASPINAL)
• Site: Subarachanoid space

• ADVANTAGE: Bypass
blood brain barrier and
blood CSF barrier-acts
directly on meninges and
spinal cord

• DISADVANTAGE-Asepsis,
Expertise, Painful, Risky
• Example: Radioopaque
contrast media, Xylocaine
injection

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 31

 INTRAMEDULLARY
Site:Tibial or Sternal bone
marrow

ADVANTAGE: onset of
action very fast

DISADVANTAGE: Strict
aseptic conditions,
expertise and skill
required
Painful and risky
Examples: Bone Marrow
transplantation
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 32
 INTRAARTICULAR
• Site: Injection directly into the
joint space

• ADVANTAGE: High
concentration in localised
area

• DISADVANTAGE: Asepsis,
Joint damage, Pain
• Examples: Hydrocortisone,
Gold chloride for rheumatoid
arthritis

Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 33

 34

INHALATION
• Site: Inspiration
nose/mouth
• ADVANTAGE: fast,
quick-large surface area,
self

• DISADVANTAGE:
increased bronchial and
salivary secretions
• Examples: Salbutamol ,Na
cromoglycate –Metered
dose inhalers
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D)
31
Dr.K.Saminathan.M.Pharm(Ph.D) , M.B.A (Ph.D) 35