Methods of

Drugs
Administration
Dr. Muhammad Waqas
Assistant Professor (Veterinary Medicine),
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences,
Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences,
University of Poonch Rawalakot, AJK
Introduction
• The route of drug administration is
determined primarily on the bases of two
factors;
• The properties of the drug
• Water or lipid solubility
• The therapeutic objectives
• Desirability of a rapid onset of action
• Need for long term treatment
• Restriction of drug delivery to a local site
Types

•The possible routes for drug

entry into the body may be
divided into three classes:
• Enteral
• Parenteral
• Others
Enteral Administration
• Enteral means administering a drug by
mouth
• It is the safest, most common,
convenient and economical method of
drugs administration.
• It is further divided into:
• Oral administration
• Sublingual administration
Oral Administration
• When a drug is given in the mouth to be
swallowed/ingestion
• Most frequently used
• Drug is given in the form of syrup/drench
(stomach tube/Nasogastric tube, drenching
gun or bamboo) or in the shape of
tablets/capsules mixed with feed or water
Oral Administration
Advantages
• Easily self administered and pain free
• Convenient and cheap
• No sterilization and special purification procedures are
required
• Have a low risk of systemic infections that could
complicate treatment
• Absorption takes place along the whole length of the GI
tract
• Both solid and liquid dosage forms can be given through
this route
• Most suitable route for GIT Infections and GI parasites
Disadvantages
• In case of unpleasant tasting drug, there is a chance of repulsion, nausea
and vomiting. In such a case sweetening or flavoring substances should
be added to the mixture
• Possibility of inaccurate dosage
• Dilution, inactivation or destruction by stomach juices
• Special enteric coated tablets are available. Enteric means small
intestine. Enteric coating is used to delay the release and absorption
of the drugs until they reach the small intestine.
• Enteric coating is a chemical envelope that resist the action of fluids
and enzymes in the stomach but dissolve readily in the upper
intestine. Substances used include fatty acid and waxes etc.
• Drugs like Aspirin are coated because of their irritant effect on
stomach.
• Drugs may be metabolized before systemic
absorption
• Slow and irregular absorption due to the
presence of food in GIT
• Slower onset, not suitable in case of emergency.
• Unable to use in unconscious patient
• Poor administration techniques may lead to
intratracheal delivery with subsequent aspiratory
bronchopneumonia
• First pass effect
First-pass Effect

• The first-pass effect is the

term used for the hepatic
metabolism of a
pharmacological agent when it
is absorbed from the gut and
delivered to the liver via the
portal circulation (Portal vein).
• The greater the first-pass
effect, the less the agent will
reach the systemic circulation
when the agent is
administered orally
Sublingual
• Drugs are taken as solutions or smaller tablets which are
held in the mouth or under the tongue
• Placement under the tongue allows a drug to diffuse into
the capillary network, and therefore to enter directly into
the systemic circulation
• Drug is dissolved in saliva under the tongue from where it
is absorbed.
• Glycerin trinitrate and Methyl testosterones are examples
• The buccal route i.e. between cheek and gum is similar to
sublingual route
Advantages Disadvantages

Absorption is relatively rapid

Inconvenient

Drug stability
Only small dose can
be administrated
Low incidence of infection
Repulsion due to
Bypass of harsh GIT
environment (Avoid first-
unpleasant taste of
pass effect) drugs
Parenteral administration
• Parenteral administration is also called “injection
route”
• Used for the treatment of unconscious patients
• Used in circumstances which require a rapid
onset of action
• Provides the most controlled dose of the drug
delivered to the body
• However, these administrations are irreversible
& painful
• May cause fear, local tissue damage and
Types
Intravascular

• Intravenous
• Intra-arterial

Extravascular

• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Intra-articular
• Intraperitoneal
• Intracardial
• Intrapleural
• Epidural
• Intrathecal
• Intraosseous
• Intramammary
Intravascular
• Intravenous
• Intra-arterial
• Absorption phase is bypassed
• (100% bioavailability)
• Precise, accurate and almost immediate onset of action
• Large quantities can be given
• Greater risk of adverse effects
• High concentration attained rapidly
• Risk of embolism
• Irritant drugs are given by this route because the substance is
rapidly diluted by the blood
I. Intravenous injection
• Injection is made into the vein
• Always inject with the blood flow
• Clean the site with soap and water, or an alcohol swab.
• Introduce the needle into the vein at a shallow angle
• Pull back the plunger to identify that the needle is in a vein. A small
amount of dark red venous blood should trickle into the syringe.
• Inject slowly to reduce damage to the vein.
• Remove the needle slowly if the needle is removed too quickly, the
vein may collapse.
• Immediately apply a firm pressure to the site
• Jugular vein is used in, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat,
horses and donkeys.
• Cephalic vein (Front legs) and saphenous vein (Hind legs)
is used in dogs.
• Wing vein is used in case of poultry.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Valuable in emergency • Require special
situations technique
• Ideal if dose is large • Air embolism may put
enough life of animal in danger
• Onset of effect is rapid • Not suitable for
insoluble drugs like oils
II. Intra-arterial injection
• Not commonly used.
• Injection is made into the lumen of the artery.
• Drug is introduced into an artery which supplies that
area of the body.
Extravascular
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Intra-articular
• Intraperitoneal
• Intracardial
• Intrapleural
• Epidural
• Intrathecal
• Intraoosseous
• Intramammary
 1. Intramuscular
Injection
• Injection is made deep into the large skeletal muscles because these are
richly supplied with blood and less with nerves
• Non-irritant drugs are given by this route

Advantages Disadvantages
• Most preferred route commonly • Large volume
employed clinically but may be
painful
of fluids cannot
be injected
• Suitable if drug volume is
moderate • It is not suitable
• Absorption is rapid and uniform for emergency
except for oily preparations. situations
• Most suitable route for fractious,
wild and zoo animals, which may
be difficult to restraint.
 2. Subcutaneous injection
• Injection is made into the
subcutaneous tissue (under the skin)
• Slow and uniform absorption
• Used to prolong the effect of the drug
• Not suitable for irritating drugs, may
cause pain or necrosis
• Unsuitable for drugs administered in
large volumes
• Usually, vaccines are administered
through this route
 3. Intradermal injection

• Small amount of drug is injected

into the layers (dermis) of the
skin
• Primarily used in diagnostic
tests such as Tuberculin test
(Tuberculosis), Mallein test
(Glanders) and Antibiotic
sensitivity test.
• Painful condition
4. Intra-articular
• Injecting the drug in
Joints
• Used for the
treatment of arthritis
• Required skilled
technique
• Painful application
• May cause damage
to cartilage
5. Intraperitoneal injection
• Injection into Peritoneum (body cavity).
• Non-irritant drugs may be injected.
• Absorbing surface is very large, and
absorption and the onset of effect is rapid.
• Large volume of drug may be injected.
• Not suitable for irritating compounds
because it causes chemical peritonitis.
• Possibility of puncturing of intestine or
other abdominal organs.
• Used mostly in laboratory animals
• Occasionally employed clinically
 6. Intracardial Injection
• Drug is injected directly into the heart
7. Epidural
Injection
• An injection in the
epidural space.
• It is a space
located in the
spine between
the vertebrae
and the dural
sac, which
surrounds the
spinal cord.
8. Intrathecal injection

Effect of the
Injection is made
drug is localized
deep into the
into spinal
sub-arachnoid
nerves and
space.
meninges.

Used to produce Drugs which

regional cannot cross BBB
anesthesia and to are administered
treat meningitis through this route
9. Intraoosseous
Injection
• Injection in Bone marrow
10. Intra-mammary
injection

Drugs are
injected into
the udder in
oily, aqueous
solution or in
the form of
ointments
 Rectal Administration

Vaginal Administration

Urethral Administration

OTHER Uterine Administration

ROUTES Inhalation Administration

Insufflation

Topical Administration

Ophthalmic instillation
1. Rectal Administration
• Drugs in the form of suppositories may be administered per rectum e.g.,
glycerin suppositories for evacuation of vowels.
• A suppository is a drug delivery system where drug is inserted into the rectum or vagina
(Rectal suppositories, Vaginal suppositories)
• The anesthetic bromethol is also given as enema
• Advantages
• Large amount of fluids can be administered per rectum to correct dehydration or
shock.
• Prevent destruction of the drug by the intestinal enzymes or by low pH in the
stomach.
• Ideal if the drug causes vomiting when given orally
• Good for drugs affecting the bowel such as laxatives
• Disadvantages
• Absorption is often erratic and incomplete, and many drugs irritate the rectal
mucosa
• Absorption may be variable.
Rectal Route
Vaginal Administration

• Vaginal pessaries or
tablets are only used
when a local effect in
vagina is intended.
• Absorption of the
drugs takes place
through vaginal
mucous membrane
Urethral Administration
• The urethral bougies are available to apply drugs to the urethral
mucous membrane
• Bougie
• A thin flexible surgical instrument for exploring or dilating a
passage of the body
Uterine Administration/Route
• Sulfonamides and certain other
antibiotic containing pessaries are
placed inside the uterus for their local
or even systemic effect.
• Sufficient absorption may occur to
produce moderate blood levels.
Inhalation
Administration
• This route involves drugs administration
directly into the nose e.g. gases (oxygen,
nitrous oxide), vapors of volatile liquids
(ether and chloroform) & sprays or
aerosols such as (isoprenaline)
• Absorption takes place through
pulmonary epithelium
• Rapid absorption with immediate effects.
• Effective for patients with respiratory
problems.
• Fewer systemic side effects.
• Most addictive route (drugs can enter
the brain quickly)
 Insufflation
• A fine powder or snuff is used.
• Absorption takes place through nasal
mucosa.
• Pituitary and cocaine snuffs are
examples.
 • Topical route means when a drug is
applied directly to the skin. It is
used when a local effect of the drug
is desired, e.g., clotrimazole is
applied as a cream directly to the
Topical skin in the treatment of
Administra dermatophytosis.
tion • Absorption takes place via
sebaceous glands.
• Irritant or caustic substances are
applied locally in the form of
ointments to produce local irritation
and to get rid of unwanted tissues.
 Various types of topical
administration
• Ointments, pastes, creams, liniments and
Skin lotions are applied on the skin surface
• Baths with medicated water are given
Bath generally for their local effects upon the skin in
cutaneous disorders
• Body is dipped in medicated fluid for a certain
Dips time. In vet. dips are used in small animals to
kill ectoparasites
• Application of semisolid or liquid drug on the
Inunctions body by rubbing

• It is application of fine particles of solid on

Dusting surface of body
Topical
Administrat
ion
 Ophthalmic instillation

• Applied in the form

of ointment or
drops for their local
or general effect
• Absorption occurs
via conjunctival
mucosa
 Route for administration
-Time until effect-

Intravenous Intraosseous Inhalation Sublingual

30-60 seconds 30-60 seconds 2-3 minutes 3-5 minutes

Intramuscular Subcutaneous Rectal 5-30 Ingestion

10-20 minutes 15-30 minutes minutes 30-90 minutes

Transdermal
(topical)
variable
(minutes to
hours)