Percutaneous administration

Definition

Percutaneous administration involves delivering drugs through the skin or mucous membranes. It aims for localized or systemic effects depending on the drug formulation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Percutaneous administration includes methods like topical application, transdermal patches, and intradermal injections.
2. Transdermal patches provide a controlled release of medication over time, suitable for chronic conditions.
3. Topical applications are used primarily for local effects like treating skin infections or inflammations.
4. Intradermal injections are typically used for allergy tests and tuberculosis screening due to their shallow injection depth.
5. This route bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, making it useful when oral administration is not feasible.

Review Questions

• What are three common methods of percutaneous administration?
• Why might a patient be prescribed a transdermal patch instead of oral medication?
• For what purposes are intradermal injections typically used?

Related terms

Topical Application: Direct application of medication to the surface of the skin for localized effect.

Transdermal Patch: A medicated adhesive patch placed on the skin to deliver a specific dose of drug over time.

Intradermal Injection: Injection administered into the dermis layer of the skin, often used for diagnostic purposes.