Route of Absorption

Drugs are absorbed by the mucus membranes, the gastro intestinal tract, the respiratory tract, and the skin. The mucus membranes are one of the most rapid and effective routes of absorption because they are highly vascular.

Oral drugs (drugs that are given by mouth) are absorbed in the gastro intestinal tract. The rate of absorption depends on the pH of the stomach’s contents, the food contents in the stomach at the time of ingestion, and the presence of disease conditions. Most of the drug concentrate dissolves in the small intestine where the large

vascular surface and moderate pH level enhance the process of breaking down the drug. Parental methods are the most direct, reliable, and rapid route of absorption. This method of administration includes intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV). The actual site of administration depends on the type of drug, its action, and the client. Another route of medication include respiratory tract by inhalation, sublingual, buccal and topical.