Routes of Medication Administration

Buccal

tablets are placed in the mouth against the mucous membranes of the cheek where the medications will dissolve. Clients should be instructed not to chew or swallow the medication and not to take any liquid with it.

Oral (P.O.)

medication is administered by mouth. (e.g., tablets, capsules, caplets, liquid solutions).

Inhalation

medication is administered into the respiratory tract, for example, through nebulizers used by clients for asthma. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids may be administered by inhalation through the mouth using an aerosolized, pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI).

Topical

medication is applied to the external surface of the skin. It can be in the form of lotion, ointment, or a paste.

Instillation

medication is introduced in liquid form into a body cavity. It can also include placing an ointment into a body cavity, such as erythromycin eye ointment, which is placed in the conjunctiva of the eye, nose drops, and ear drops.

Insertion

medication is placed into a body cavity, where the medication dissolves at body temperature (e.g., suppositories). Vaginal medications, creams, and tablets may also be inserted by using a special applicators provided by the manufacture.

Intranasal

medication solution is instilled into the nostrils. This method is used to administer corticosteroids, the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, and a nasal mist influenza vaccine.

Transdermal

medication which is contained in a patch or disk and applied topically. The medication is slowly released and absorbed through the skin and enters the systemic circulation. These topicals applications may ne applied for 24 hours or for as long as 7 days and have systemic effects.

Parenteral

medications are administered by a route other than by mouth or gastrointestinal tract. Parenteral routes include intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (subcut) and intradermal (ID).

Percutaneous

medications are applied to the skin or mucous membranes for absorption. This includes ointments, powders, and lotions for the skin; instillation of solutions onto the mucous membranes of the mouth, ear, nose, or vagina; and inhalation of aerosolized liquids for absorption through the lungs. The primary advantage is that the action of the drug, in general, is localized to the site of application.

Sublingual (SL)

medications are placed under the tongue and designed to be readily absorbed through the blood vessels in this area. They should not be swallowed.