Drug delivery
Routes of administration
Local delivery, directly to the area needed, can help minimise the spread of the drug to other areas of the body, thereby minimising side effects. Methods include topical application of a drug directly to the skin, or inhalation.
Systemic delivery, on the other hand, results in the drug being circulated around the whole body through the blood. Methods include oral administration and injections.
While the route of administration determines where the drug first enters the body, how much of it remains local compared to how much ends up being circulated around the body is dependent on the bioavailability of the drug itself.
Device types
Inhalers
- Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs)
- Soft mist inhalers (SMIs)
- Dry powder inhalers (DPIs)
- Nebulisers
- Nasal inhalers/sprays
Injectors
- Prefilled syringes
- Autoinjectors
- Infusion sets/pumps
Other simple devices
- Pipettes/droppers for eyes and ears
- Transdermal patches for skin
- Catheters for general transfer of fluids