Drug administration routes and techniques
BENEFITS OF IV ROUTE: The intravenous route of drug administration has several advantages over the other routes of drug administration and it is one of the most commonly used routes in cases of emergence and when dealing with unconscious patients and young children and neonates where swallowing may be limited.
1. It achieves 100% bioavailability of the administered drug. We already looked at bioavailability as the portion or percentage of the drug that reaches the systemic circulation. Now that this medication has been directly injected it the circulatory system, all of it will reach blood as long as it is injected properly and it will exert it's effect as soon as desired. This means we can achieve maximum plasma concentration and attain the desired half life in the time intended.
2. It allows the drug to exert it's effects faster compared to other routes. While drugs given for example via oral route will have to first be absorbed from the GIT and pass through the liver, IV drugs will reach target organs just after administration and this allows the route to be the first choice in emergence situations. This is because, within 72 seconds and individual's blood will have circulated via all the body organs for a normally functioning heart. You can also click on the link below to read about the GIT live bypass of blood components.
The hepatic portal circulation
3. This type of route maximizes compliance to the administered drug. While the patient may skip some medications or forget the right dosage, this route ensures that all the intended drug is administered because in most cases the drug is given by a medical personnel. Things to do with compliance sometimes come with exaggerated side effects of the drugs and complicated route of drug administration.
SETBACKS OF USING THE IV ROUTE: Everything good has some side effects as well, and so is this route. Let us look at some of the life threatening events that may result after use of the intravenous route. It should however be noted that the drugs given via this route will have been evaluated for that purpose and not every drug will be given that way.
1) Adverse effects of the injected drug: Before we look at this let me first clarify on the difference between a side effect and an adverse effect. The side effects are known and predictable problems that result from use of a drug. On the other hand, adverse effects are unpredictable, not clearly known and are deadly effects following use of a drug. So, in short, adverse effects are more intense and maybe long lasting. Following intravenous drug administration, the following adverse effects maybe encountered.
a) The drug may have a narrow therapeutic index or windows, subjecting the patient to toxicity, in case they have impaired liver for drug metabolism and or kidney disease, which may be affecting elimination of the drug.
b) Some drugs are corrosive and fast administration may damage the blood vessels and tissues at the injection site. This is the main reason why most of the drugs given via this route are injected slowly or mixed in intravenous fluids.
2) Risk for sepsis: Venipuncture or penetrating the skin to access a blood vessel, is an invasive procedure, and this may introduce microbes into circulation, predisposing the patient to sepsis. You can follow the link below to read about sepsis in details.
3. Tissue injury: Some drugs are corrosive and their administration via this route may lead to damage of the blood vessels and nearby tissues where it is injected leaving a pathological condition following administration of the drug.
EXAMPLES OF DRUGS ADMINISTERED USING THE IV ROUTE: Here are some of the examples of drugs administered by the intravenous route.
1. Ceftriaxone
2. Gentamycin
3. Penicillin
4. Blood transfusion
RELATED;
1. MEDICINE AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
2. PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS
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