Depending on the pathology, they also choose the route of administration of drugs so that they affect the body as quickly and efficiently as possible. Possessing knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of certain methods of administering drugs, for each patient you can choose the most optimal option.
Often, drugs are prescribed and used enterally. "What is it like?" - you ask. In another way, you can say: through the digestive tract. This method is divided into the following introductions.
Buccal (by the cheek)
The therapeutic effect of drugs with buccal administration develops rapidly, and at the same time, the absorption time increases due to the use of special forms of drugs: discs, plasters, which are glued to the inner surface of the cheek. However, the frequent use of this method leads to irritation of the mucous membranes.
Sublingual - what does it mean?
The rapid absorption of drugs in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is carried out when taking them under the tongue. The advantages of this method: the active substance enters directly into the blood, bypassing the aggressive effects of digestive juice and liver enzymes; fast vasodilating effect in hypertensive crises; relief of angina attacks. Disadvantages: when part of the drug is swallowed, the therapeutic effect is reduced; the dosage form (dragees, tablets, granules) must be kept under the tongue until completely dissolved; development of side effects - irritation of the oral mucosa. So sublingually - what does it mean? And this means taking the drug under the tongue.
Vaginal (in the vagina) and urethral (in the urethra)
These routes of administration are used mainly for the treatment of infectious diseases of the female and male genital organs. Vaginally administered dosage forms: suspensions, creams, tablets, emulsions, ointments, suppositories. These methods have also been used for diagnostic purposes for the administration of contrast agents.
Oral (by mouth)
This is the most common enteral route of drug administration. Many dosage forms of drugs are taken by mouth. The active substances contained in medicines from the gastrointestinal tract enter the bloodstream. The therapeutic concentration in the blood is achieved on average 10-15 minutes after taking the medicine. Interaction with digestive juice, enzymes, food fragments is carried out when taking drugs enteral. This is both taking medications immediately after eating, or while eating.
Thus, drugs are attacked by various chemicals in an acidic environment. The most favorable time for taking drugs is considered to be the period thirty minutes before a meal. At this time, they will not be exposed to gastric juice and, in the absence of nutrients, are absorbed into the blood to the maximum extent. There are dosage forms coated with a special composition, due to which the drug passes through the stomach unchanged and dissolves only in the small intestine, which has a weak alkaline environment.
Rectal (in the rectum)
A special place among the enteral routes of drug administration is given to this method. With the rectal route of administration, rapid absorption occurs and in a short time the maximum therapeutic concentration of the active substance in the human body is achieved. Through the rectum, drugs are administered in different dosage forms. As a result of this introduction, they are not destroyed by liver enzymes and digestive juice. Compared with oral administration, the therapeutic effect is three times higher.
The advantage of the enteral route of administration through the rectum is the only way to help the patient in cases of inability to swallow or in an unconscious state, with vomiting, lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. And also the advantages of this method of administration include:
- the absence of allergic reactions and side effects, or they are minimal;
- the proven effectiveness of rectal drugs for the treatment of children, the elderly, pregnant women (during toxicosis);
- A wide range of proposed dosage forms for the treatment of various pathological conditions.
The disadvantages of this enteric route of administration are:
- with rectal administration, only local exposure occurs;
- the mucous membrane of the rectum is irritated;
- inconvenient to use;
- Psychologically, not every patient can use this route of administration.
Enteral route of administration: advantages and disadvantages
Drugs administered by this method have both local and systemic effects on the body .
The advantages of this method of drug administration:
- convenience and ease of use for all ages;
- the most common method;
- patients do not need the help of medical workers;
- complications characteristic of parenteral use of drugs are excluded;
The disadvantages of the enteric route of administration:
- active substances are delayed in the gastrointestinal tract, as a result, absorption in the blood slows down;
- medicines are exposed to strong acidic conditions;
- in the liver there is a deactivation of drugs;
- the state of the gastrointestinal tract and mucous membranes affects the absorption of drugs;
- the pharmacological effect of drugs is influenced by the age of the patient, the presence of diseases.
Another way to administer drugs is through the parenteral route.
The introduction of drugs by this method bypasses the digestive tract and is divided into the following injections.
Intravenous
Advantages of this method:
- Quick effect.
- It is possible to accurately calculate the required concentration of the drug for a particular patient, which is especially important for patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.
- Drugs are introduced that irritate the mucous membranes, quickly decompose or enter into chemical reactions with digestive juice.
Intraarterial
It is used for perfusion of some organs with active active substances contained in medicines. Vein thrombosis is the most serious side effect of the parenteral route of administration of the drug.
Intramuscular
The therapeutic concentration of the drug in the body reaches a peak within 20 minutes, depending on the pharmacological group of the drug administered. The volume of the drug allowed for administration by this method should not be more than 10 ml. Disadvantages: unpleasant and painful sensations during and after administration of the drug; may develop an abscess, getting into a blood vessel of a needle, damage to nerve fibers.
Subcutaneous
Not all drugs are suitable for this type of administration.
The therapeutic effect occurs more slowly than with the intravenous or intramuscular route of administration, but also lasts a longer time.
Inhalation
In this type of administration, the preparation in the form of an aerosol, powder or gas is absorbed rather quickly. It has a local and sometimes general effect.
Intrathecal
In this type of administration, the drug is injected directly into the subarachnoid space and is used in cases:
- anesthesia: spinal or spinal;
- creating a high concentration of antibacterial or hormonal drugs.
When applied topically, the drug is applied to the mucous membranes (nose, eyes, skin) or the surface of the skin in order to create both localized and systemic effects.
Disadvantages: with prolonged use, especially hormonal preparations, adverse reactions often develop in the form of irritation.
Using the physiotherapeutic electrophoresis procedure, drugs from the surface are transferred to the deep layers of the skin under the influence of current, providing the necessary pharmacological effect.
Special mixes
Enteral mixtures are prescribed and used to treat various diseases:
- diabetes mellitus;
- renal, hepatic, respiratory failure;
- dysbiosis and other diseases of the digestive system.
Nutrient mixtures due to the presence of prebiotics have a beneficial effect on the human body:
- normalize the work of the stomach and colon;
- improve intestinal motility and the absorption of active substances;
- contribute to the regeneration of epithelial tissue of the large intestine;
- reduce glucose absorption rate;
- affect cholesterol reduction.
The correctly selected method of administering the drug for a particular patient, taking into account the development of side effects, the minimum period of the onset of the pharmacological action of the drug, and also taking into account its condition, is one of the tasks facing a medical professional.