II. Definitions
- Parenteral Route
- Term Parenteral is derived from "around the intestinal tract" (i.e. bypassing the intestinal tract)
- Preferred for conditions where rapid absorption and consistent drug levels are critical (e.g. Resuscitation, Sepsis)
- Parenteral Routes risk infection as well as pain of administration
III. Types
- Intravenous (IV)
- Rapid onset of action and consistent and predictable drug levels
- Requires sterile, soluble drugs and Intravenous Access
- Intramuscular (IM)
- See Intramuscular Injection
- Drugs (e.g. Epinephrine, Penicillin) injected into large Muscle regions (e.g. Shoulder, thigh, buttock) rely on local capillary absorption
- Absorption is dependent on formulations (slow absorption with lipid preparations, faster absorption with aqueous preparations)
- Subcutaneous (SQ or SC)
- See Subcutaneous Injection
- Drugs (e.g. Insulin, Morphine, Enoxaparin) are injected beneath the skin and absorbed via local capillaries