ABSTRACT

Parenteral routes of administration are often used in cases of hampered non-parenteral bioavailability and severe disease states. Several important therapeutic groups such as antibiotics, anti-asthmatics, anti-convulsics, anxiolytics, and analgesics are administered by parenteral routes. The i.v. route of administration results in a rapid increase of drug concentration in the blood. This route of administration has advantages over local parenteral administration in cases

of emergency, when fast action is essential. Local administration includes subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injection and direct injection into target organs such as the eyes, central nervous system, and heart. When the drug is intended for local effect, for prolonged and sustained drug release, or for drug delivery to lymph nodes, s.c. and i.m. administration is preferred. Clinical advantages of s.c. and i.m. drug administration may include avoidance of high systemic peak drug concentrations, less frequent administration, and fewer problems with compatibility of the injection components compared to i.v. administration.