Final answer:
Special-Parenteral Pharmacy involves administering drugs via intravenous or intramuscular injection when oral intake is not suitable, while Enteral Pharmacy involves the administering medical foods and drugs through the enteric route for specific nutritional requirements or when patients cannot eat by mouth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special-Parenteral Pharmacy refers to the medical practice and services related to the preparation and administration of drugs that are not absorbed easily from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Instead, drugs are given through parenteral routes such as intravenous or intramuscular injections. This administration is typically conducted in healthcare settings, and is essential when the oral route is not possible, for instance, due to the patient's inability to take medications because of conditions like vomiting, or the need for rapid and higher plasma levels of the drug to treat an infection.
Enteral Pharmacy entails the administration of medical foods and drugs through the enteric route, where substances pass through the stomach undigested and are absorbed in the intestines. Medical foods are tailored for specific nutritional requirements and may be given to patients who are comatose or have specific diseases like kidney disease or liver disease. Patients receive these nutritional formulas through tubes, such as a gastronomy tube, under the supervision of a medical professional.
The route of administration is a crucial factor in drug therapy, influencing the convenience, absorption, and overall effectiveness of the medication. The choice between parenteral and enteral administration depends on several factors, such as the patient's condition, the drug's absorption characteristics, and the targeted site for treatment.