Medication routes

• Intranasal medication: through the nose

  • action is local or systemic
  • indication: given in the nose
  • contraindications are allergies and sensitivity
• Administration procedure for intranasal medication could be spraying, instillation or topical
• Advantages of intranasal meds:

  • high surface area, adherence and permeability
  • rapid therapeutic level
  • direct contact with lymphatic tissue
  • bypass first pass effect
• Disadvantages of intranasal meds:

  • risk of nasal irritation
  • damage to eyelashes
  • limits classes of meds which could be used
• Absorption of intranasal medication can be passive (paracellular or transcellular) or active
• A topical medication is administered onto skin, nails and hair

  • action can be local or systemic
  • indications: topical administration for preventive or therapeutic purposes
  • contraindications: allergy or sensitivity
• Topical medication function:

  • promote wound healing
  • reduce pain
  • reduce dermatological problem
  • moisture
  • clean and disinfect skin
  • manage infection
  • prevent deterioration or development of condition
• Most common forms of topical meds are lotions, creams, ointments, powders, shampoos, oils, foams and gels
• Ointment and oils are more occlusive than creams and gels
• Absorption of topical medications is influenced by medication, anatomical site, skin conditions, time of applications, application (layer and distribution) and cleaning of the area
• Important to wear gloves when administering cream on a pt
• Ophthalmic medication is inserted into the eye for absorption by the ocular mucosa

  • action is local
  • function could be for infection, surgery, dryness, allergies, glaucoma, conjunctives prophylaxis
  • contraindications is a foreign body penetrating the eye or chemical burns
• Administration of ophthalmic medication is done aseptically in the subconjunctival sac. Important to follow recommended steps and wear gloves
• An auricular medication is given into the auditory conduct

  • action is local
  • indication is to soften cerumen, reduce inflammation or pain, infections
  • contraindications is the perforation of the tympanic membrane, allergies, auditory canal trauma
• Precautions for auricular medication

  • administer at room temperature
  • always use a sterile solution
  • do not apply pressure
  • do not obstruct the auditory duct
• Rectal medication can have a local or systemic effect
• Indications for rectal medication is dysphagia, nausea or vomiting, staying NPO, functional absorption by the rectal mucous membrane, palliative phase of a disease
• Contraindications for rectal medication is a rectal tumor or abscess, arrythmias, rectal bleeding, rectal or prostate surgery, hematology conditions
• Types of medications given rectally are suppositories, capsules, ointments, liquids, tablets and gels
• Factors affecting absorption of rectal medication are presence of stool, diarrhea, solution used, local irritation and anastomosis
• Administering an enema rectally is the introduction of a large volume of solution to stimulate peristalsis or irritate the mucosa to stimulate peristalsis
• Types of enemas

  • hypotonic: softens stool, not very common
  • isotonic solution: softens stool, safest solution
  • hypertonic: sodium phosphate, most common
  • oil retention: mineral oil to lubricate stool, common
• Sublingual meds are given under the tongue. Contraindications are according to the drug as well as the disturbance of GI function, certain diagnostic tests or surgeries
• Sublingual meds are directly diffused into the blood vessels under the tongue. Certain are extended release medications which means they are released in the bloodstream over a period of specific intervals