Principles and modes of drug administration

Abstract

It becomes more than essential for a clinical pharmacologist to understand the various principles and modes of drug administration, since these are clinically relevant in therapeutics, and helps in avoiding any potential harm to patients receiving these drugs. While there are several principles of drug administration, the five important ones are: the right patient, the right drug, the right dose, the right time and the right route of administration. Modes or routes of drug administration vary from the widely followed oral route to parenteral and inhalational routes. There also exist certain specialized routes and modes of drug delivery, like the liposomal delivery, prodrug delivery and others. Each of these routes of administration has its own pros and cons, which have to be weighed against each other before choosing the same. This chapter deals about the key principles and routes or modes of drug administration.