Final answer:
Parenteral administration methods, important for bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, include intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injections. These are critical for drugs that need rapid onset or aren't easily absorbed orally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common Forms of Parenteral Administration
Parenteral administration refers to the methods of administering drugs bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common forms of parenteral administration include:
- Intravenous injection (IV) - Where the drug is administered directly into the bloodstream, providing quick and controlled delivery.
- Intramuscular injection (IM) - This is where the drug is injected into the muscle, allowing the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream gradually.
- Subcutaneous injection - In this method, the drug is injected into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle.
While oral administration is generally preferred for its convenience, parenteral methods are chosen when drugs cannot be absorbed easily from the GI tract or when high plasma levels are required quickly, as seen with certain anesthesia inductions or emergency treatments. For example, intravenous anesthetics such as propofol are preferred for their rapid onset. Vaccines are often delivered by IM or subcutaneous injections, with intramuscular being common for vaccines such as those against measles, rubella, and influenza.
For treating systemic infections at home, oral administration is typically more appropriate and convenient compared to parenteral methods such as intravenous or intramuscular injections, which are usually performed in healthcare settings.