Overview of drug formulations & routes of administration

Summary

This video educates viewers on drug formulations and administration routes, emphasizing the importance of side of action, convenience, absorption, bioavailability, and patient factors in choosing formulations. It outlines various routes including oral, injectable, topical, and others like sublingual and transdermal, discussing their pros, cons, and examples of drugs for each. The goal is to ensure patients receive medications effectively and safely, tailored to their needs.

Takeaways

• 💊 The choice of drug formulation and administration route depends on the site of action, patient convenience, absorption rate, bioavailability, patient factors, and the desired speed of action.
• 🏥 Oral administration is common due to convenience, cost-effectiveness, long shelf life, and patient compliance, but it requires the drug to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized by the liver.
• 💧 Injectable routes, such as intravenous (IV), intraarterial, intramuscular, and subcutaneous, offer faster and more direct access to the bloodstream but require professional administration and carry a higher risk of infection.
• 👶 Patient factors like age, swallowing issues, and compliance play a significant role in determining the appropriate administration route, with alternatives like fluids or syrups for pediatric or geriatric patients.
• 🚫 Some medications, like insulin or nitroglycerin, have poor oral absorption or are deactivated in the gastrointestinal tract, necessitating alternative routes like subcutaneous injection.
• 🌡 Topical administration, such as creams, ointments, eye drops, and ear drops, is ideal for localized treatment with minimal systemic absorption, reducing side effects.
• 🌀 Transdermal administration, like nicotine patches, allows for systemic absorption through the skin, providing a sustained release of medication over time.
• 🌀 Sublingual and rectal administration are alternative routes that bypass the liver's first-pass metabolism, offering rapid and high bioavailability of certain medications.
• 🏠 Self-administration is possible with some routes, like oral and subcutaneous injections, which can be done at home, enhancing patient convenience and adherence to treatment.
• ⏱ The speed of action varies with the route of administration, with IV being the fastest and depot injections providing a slow, sustained release over weeks or months.

Q & A

Why are different drug formulations used?

Different drug formulations are used to target specific areas of action in the body, ensure patient convenience and compliance, and to control the speed of action and bioavailability of the medication.

What factors are considered when choosing a drug formulation?

Factors considered include the site of action, patient convenience, absorption and bioavailability, patient factors such as age and ability to swallow, and the desired speed of action.

How does the site of action influence drug formulation choice?

The site of action determines whether the drug needs to be systemic or can be applied locally. For instance, skin conditions might only require topical application, whereas blood pressure medications need to reach the blood vessels.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of oral drug administration?

Oral administration is convenient, usually cheaper, and has a long shelf life. However, it requires the drug to be broken down and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, which can affect bioavailability and may not be suitable for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Why might injectable routes be preferred over oral routes?

Injectable routes like intravenous are preferred when immediate action is needed, for drugs that have poor oral absorption, or when high bioavailability is required.

What is the difference between intravenous and intramuscular injections?

Intravenous injections deliver drugs directly into the bloodstream, providing immediate and 100% bioavailability, while intramuscular injections are injected into muscle tissue and have a slower absorption rate.

How do topical medications work, and what are their benefits?

Topical medications are applied directly to the affected area and generally stay localized, which can reduce systemic side effects. They are beneficial for conditions like skin disorders or eye and ear infections.

What are some examples of drugs administered through the transdermal route?

Examples of transdermal medications include nicotine patches and fentanyl patches, which are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Why might a sublingual route be chosen for certain medications?

The sublingual route is chosen for medications like GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) because it allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream and bypasses the liver, leading to quicker and more effective action.

What patient factors might influence the choice of drug administration route?

Patient factors such as age, swallowing ability, and the presence of certain medical conditions can influence the choice of route. For example, pediatric patients may receive medications in syrup form, and elderly patients with swallowing difficulties might opt for liquid formulations.