Orally - is it like? A simple and detailed answer to a common question

Very often, after reading the instructions for some medicine, a person asks himself a simple question: "Orally - is it like?" And this is quite natural, because not all people are familiar with medical terminology. In fact, everything is very simple.

Reception of medicines: varieties

There are many ways that help the medicine to get into the human body. Basic methods:

• Intramuscular injection;
• Intravenous injections;
• Rectal administration;
• Sublingual administration of drugs;
• Buccal medicine;
• Oral medication.

Intramuscular injections imply the introduction of a substance directly into the muscle. This method is advisable to apply in cases where another method of drug delivery to the body is not available. Intravenous administration of drugs allows you to quickly reach the bloodstream. The most important thing to remember about using this technique is strict adherence to all aseptic measures. The rectal method is based on the absorption of drugs by the blood vessels of the rectum. The main advantages are the rapid effect, as well as high bioavailability. In addition, with the introduction of the drug in the rectum, there is almost never a nausea. Sublingual administration of drugs implies their reception by placing under the tongue. Thus, the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream. Transbuccally accepted barbiturates, steroids, as well as some funds for the cardiovascular system. Access is through the oral mucosa.

What is oral intake of drugs?

Taking medicines orally is a direct way through the mouth. That is, the ingestion of the drug, usually for convenience it is washed down with a small amount of liquid or dissolved in advance. Oral treatment is very suitable if the drugs are easily absorbed by the gastric mucosa. Also this applies to those drugs that the acidic environment of this body will affect slightly, otherwise they will be destroyed to the final point of transportation. However, like any other method, taking medications through the mouth, which means oral, has its drawbacks.

• Relatively slow achievement of therapeutic effect.
• Inability to use this method when vomiting or unconscious.
• The impossibility of evaluating the completeness of absorption of a medicinal product, since it is individual for each patient.
• Difficulty in using those drugs that have poor absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Dosage forms

Essential dosage forms that are administered orally are:

• Powders;
• Pills;
• pills;
• Capsules;
• Solutions.

In addition to the above, there are some drugs that have special properties. One example is a multilayered tablet. The essence of their use is that they do not allow the drug to release too quickly. It should be remembered that most of the drugs used orally are tablets that need to be washed down with plenty of water. This is due to the fact that some of them may linger in the gastrointestinal tract, causing heartburn.