Question

In pharmacology, what factors determine the rate of absorption of a drug when administered through different routes, and which route is both the longest and most common in clinical practice? Which route is the fastest?

A) The rate of absorption depends on the drug's taste, and the longest and most common route is intravenous (IV). The fastest route is subcutaneous (SC).
B) The rate of absorption depends on the drug's formulation and the route of administration. The longest and most common route is oral (PO), and the fastest is intramuscular (IM).
C) The rate of absorption is influenced by the drug's color, and the longest and most common route is rectal (PR). The fastest route is intradermal (ID).
D) The rate of absorption depends on the drug's price, and the longest and most common route is buccal (BU). The fastest route is nasal (IN).

Answer 1

The rate of drug absorption depends on drug formulation and route of administration, with oral (PO) being the most common but longest route and intravenous (IV) being the fastest.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate of absorption of a drug is determined by several factors including the drug's formulation and the route of administration. The oral route (PO) is the longest and most common route of administration in clinical practice because of its convenience for home use. However, the intravenous (IV) route is the fastest for achieving high plasma levels of a drug, which is crucial for some treatments like severe infections. Factors such as solubility, permeability, and stability of the drug, as well as the patient's physiology, can affect drug absorption.

For drugs that are poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or when immediate drug action is needed, parenteral routes like intravenous or intramuscular injections are preferred. Intravenous administration allows drugs to bypass GI metabolism and enter circulation directly, resulting in quicker peak plasma concentrations. The half-life of a drug, the capacity of drug metabolism by the liver or kidneys, and potential side effects are essential considerations in choosing the dosage and the route.