Dosage
A. Normal dosage is provided in package insert
1. Available in the PDR and online at http://www.clinicalpharmacology.com
B. Physicians are not required to prescribe the usual dose
1. If there are dosage questions, verify the accuracy of the order before proceeding
Drug Administration Routes
A. Enteral Routes - Common and familiar administrations. Digestive process can reduce therapeutic effect.
1. Oral
2. Rectal - Alternative for those unable to swallow or with an unretentive stomach. Dosage may be unreliable because of early expulsion.
3. Vaginal
4. Nasogatric Tube (NG Tube) - Also an alternative to oral administration. More reliable and more easily controlled.
B. Medication Inhalation
1. Provide therapy direclty to lungs / respiratory system
2. Used in nuclear medicine for administration of radioactive gases for lung ventilation studies
C. Topical Route
1. May be used to provide local therapy, such as creams for rashes
2. Transdermal patches provide therapy by adhering medications to the skin, which is eventually absorbed into the boldstream
D. Sublingual and Buccal Routes
Sublingual = under the tongue
Buccal = inside the cheek
A. Topical route variation
1. Absorption through mucosal tissues into the bloodstream
2. This bypasses GI tract
E. Parenteral Routes (Injections)
1. Used to deliver drugs that cause irritation of the GI tract or cannot be absorbed by the GI tract. These are needed rapidly to site of action.
F. Parenteral Routes
1. Intramuscular (IM)
2. Intravenous (IV) - Provides most immediate effect
3. Subcutaneous (SB)
4. Intrathecal
5. Intradermal
a. Ampule
b. Vial
c. Prefilled syringe
d. Infusion Drip