F1.

Routes of administration

Types of administration:
1. Inhalation
2. Oral
3. Intravenous
4. Transdermal

The drugs must be absorbed to the systemic circulation.

Uptake can be through:

 Passive diffusion depends on lipophilicity
 Active transport
When the drug passes through the stomach, this is classed as the first pass metabolism and
this limits the bioavailability of the drug (this only happens for oral administrated drugs).
Since the small intestine has a pH of 5.3 this is where most the drugs are absorbed.

Type of administration Advantages Disadvantages

Oral Cheap Fraction of dose is lost due
Easy to do to the first pass metabolism
GI diseases can prevent
absorption (such as
vomiting)
Not all drugs can be
formulated into oral form
Intravenous 100% bioavailability Risk of serious ADR’s
can be useful for patients Not suitable for insoluble
that struggle with oral substances
delivery
Rectal Avoids first pass metabolism Reduced bioavailability
compared to oral
Intramuscular Prompt absorption Painful
Formulation can modify Danger of nerve damage
release kinetics
Subcutaneous Prompt absorption Not good for large volumes
Modify release kinetics Pain or necrosis (kills cells)
from irritating substances
Intrathecal Bypasses BBB (blood brain Skilled staff
barrier) Sterility essential
Direct access to the CNS Not suitable for many drugs

Challenges with antibiotics?

 Site of infection
 Microorganism responsible?
 Susceptibility?
 Pharmacokinetic limitations?
 Status of patient?