drugs
Drug Administration
Introduction
Drugs are introduced into the body by several routes. They may be Taken by mouth (orally) Given by injection into a vein (intravenously, IV), into a muscle (intramuscularly, IM), into the space around the spinal cord (intrathecally), or beneath the skin (subcutaneously, sc) Placed under the tongue (sublingually) or between the gums and cheek (buccally) Inserted in the rectum (rectally) or vagina (vaginally) Placed in the eye (by the ocular route) or the ear (by the otic route) Sprayed into the nose and absorbed through the nasal membranes (nasally) Breathed into the lungs, usually through the mouth (by inhalation) or mouth and nose (by nebulization) Applied to the skin (cutaneously) for a local (topical) or bodywide (systemic) effect Delivered through the skin by a patch (transdermally) for a systemic effect Each route has specific purposes, advantages, and disadvantages. (See also Introduction to Administration and Kinetics of Drugs .) 