Patient Rights Treatment Decisions & Safety Routes of Medication Administration Intravenous, Percutaneous, and Other Ways to Administer Medications By Marian Anne Eure Marian Anne Eure LinkedIn Marian Eure, RN, is a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in adult health care, health promotion, and health education. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 05, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Mary Choy, PharmD Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD LinkedIn Twitter Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Print There are many routes of medication administration (the way that a drug is placed into the body). Based on the specific medication being used, the rate of absorption desired, and the specific site of action (where the medication needs to have an effect) your healthcare provider or pharmacist will instruct you on the route of administration needed for you. Jorg Greuel / Digital Vision / Getty Images Most drugs are manufactured for a specific route of administration and must be used as directed for safety and efficiency. Routes of Medication Administration In general, two categories of medication administration exist: parenteral and nonparenteral. These two categories also determine whether or not a drug stays in one area of the body (local effect) or absorbed by the vascular system to be distributed to body tissues (systemic effect). Parenteral This administration route involves medication that is injected in the body anywhere other than the mouth or alimentary canal (the entire passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus. It includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines). Generally, parenteral is the most reliable, direct and rapidly absorbed way of administering medications. This is used when more complete and faster absorption of a drug is needed. It describes any medication injected into the body via the following routes: Intradermal (injecting a drug into the first layers of the skin)Subcutaneous (injecting directly into the fatty tissue under the skin)Intramuscular (injecting directly into a muscle)Intraarterial (injecting a drug directly into an artery)Intracardiac (injecting directly into the heart) Intravenous (injecting directly into a vein)Intrathecal (injecting into the spinal canal)Epidural (injecting into the epidural space of the spinal cord)Intraperitoneal (injecting directly into the abdominal cavity) The speed of absorption varies with parenteral administration, but it is faster than oral administration, which is a nonparenteral route. Some of the disadvantages of using the parenteral route are that there is a slight risk of infection, tissue damage, pain and/or anxiety for some patients. Nonparenteral Nonparenteral is the route that oral medications (pills, capsules, syrups), topical medications (ointments, patches like nitro), and suppositories (vaginal and rectal) are administered. This route includes: Oral (medications are taken by mouth and absorbed into the system through the digestive system. Absorption is slow. Medications that use this option cannot be used if vomiting is occurring.)Sublingual (medication is placed under the tongue for absorption by the body)Topical (applied directly to a part of the body)Transdermal (active ingredients are delivered via the skin for systemic distribution. Examples include transdermal patches)Ophthalmic (administered through the eye, usually in the form of drops)Otic (administered through the ear)Nasal (administered through the nose)Rectal (absorbed by the lower digestive tract)Vaginal (administered through the vagina)Mucosal (medications are delivered through the nose or inhaled and are absorbed through the nasal mucosa or bronchioles, respectively. Vaginal administration of a medication is also considered mucosal.)Percutaneous (medications are absorbed directly through the skin into the bloodstream. Some birth control pills and hormone replacements are administered by patches that are absorbed slowly and evenly through the skin, for example.) The advantage of using these nonparenteral routes is that it is easier and more convenient for most. Unfortunately, if you are nauseated, vomiting, can't swallow, or have intestinal issues, taking medications via the gastrointestinal tract is not recommended. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fulcher EM, Fulcher RM, Dubeansky Soto C. Pharmacology: Principles & Applications. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014.