ROUTES OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION

1. Oral – most common, less expensive and most convenient route

2. Sublingual – a drug is placed under the tongue where it dissolves

3. Buccal – means “pertaining to the cheek”

4. Parenteral – by needle
• Subcutaneous (hypodermic) – into the subcutaneous tissue, just below the skin
• Intramuscular – into the muscle
• Intradermal – under the epidermis (into the dermis)
• Intravenous – into the vein

5. Topical – those applied into a circumscribed surface area of the body
• Dermatologic preparations – applied to the skin
• Instillations and irrigations – applied into the body cavities or orifices such as the bladder, eyes, ears, nose, rectum, or vagina
• Inhalations – administered into the respiratory tract by nebulizer or positive pressure breathing apparatus. Air, oxygen and vapor are generally used to carry the drug into the lungs.