PHARMACOLOGY

 PARENTERAL OR INJECTIONAL ROUTE ::

Here the drug does not enter gastrointestinal tract (thus called parenteral ) but is passed directly into the circulation Following are the advantages of parenteral route ::

1.There is quick onset of action 

2.Drug can be given to an unconscious or non -co-operative patients 

3.Desired concentrations can be achieved 

4.Drug can be given to patients suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting 

5.Drugs that irritate the stomach or cannot be absorbed from the stomach or intestine can be given by this route 

6.Comparatively smaller does are required for the effect 

7.The metabolism of drug prior to its entry into circulation (usually by liver) i.e. the by pass effect is avoided 

            Owing to various advantages mentioned above the injectional method of drug administration is very popular but there are number of disadvantages ::

(1) The shot is painful and expensive and needs surgical sterility and proper technique of administration it must therefore be resorted to only when it is a must 

(2) It is inconvenient 

(3) Self medication is not possible 

(4) It is a risk factor for diseases like hepatitis AIDS etc 

        There are many route for the parenteral or injectional method of drug administration such as inoculation intradermal subcutaneous intramuscular intravenous intracardiac intrapleural intraperitoneal intramedullary intracisternal intraspinal intraarterial intraoccular etc Inhalation is also considered as parenteral route