5
Routes of Drug Administration and Dosage Formulations
Learning Objectives
1 Differentiate between the terms route of administration, dosage form, and drug delivery system. (Section 5.1)
2 Identify different inactive and inert ingredients and various tablet coatings and their functions. (Section 5.2)
3 Explain the properties of oral, transmucosal, topical (dermal and transdermal), inhalation (intrarespiratory), and parenteral routes of administration and their dosage forms. (Sections 5.3–5.7)
4 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the varying routes of administration to better understand and remember prescription and OTC directions. (Sections 5.3–5.7)
5 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the varying drug formulations and their indications. (Sections 5.3–5.7)
6 Demonstrate correct techniques for administration of topicals, transmucosal agents, inhalers, and various parenteral injections (subq, IM, IV, and ID). (Sections 5.3–5.7)
7 Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of insulin administration from syringes versus pens, and discuss the importance of syringe and needle selection. (Sections 5.3–5.7)
8 Understand the common drug delivery systems that delay, extend, or target delivery and their prescriptive notations. (Section 5.8)
ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards
To view the ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards addressed in this chapter, refer to Appendix B.
Healthcare providers have many pharmacological agents at their disposal and a wide variety of dosage forms with which to customize patient treatment. Before selecting the appropriate medications for their patients, however, providers must have a good understanding of two scientific areas in addition to pharmacology: pharmacokinetics (how drugs are absorbed, circulated, metabolized, and eliminated) and pharmaceutics (how drugs release their active agents in specific forms).
A thorough study of these scientific areas is well beyond the scope of this text, but a pharmacy technician student must gain an appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages of various routes of administration and drug formulations that are used in everyday pharmacy practice. A favorable patient outcome may well depend on selecting not only the most appropriate medication, but also the most appropriate route of administration and formulation to meet the patient’s needs and reduce the risk of preventable medication errors. The pharmacist will make the selection, but technicians must be aware enough to fill the prescription correctly and notice when something is problematic or needs to be queried.