General and Systematic Veterinary Pharmacology

Local administration

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS

• Local administration of drugs refers to external application or application to a localized site such as eye. ear. mucous membranes etc.
• Some of the local sites of administration include:
  • Skin: Application of drugs on to the skin such as powder, lotion, ointment etc.
  • Mucous membrane:
    • Mouth and pharynx: mouthwash, gargle, paint etc.
    • Eye, ear and nose: Drops, spray, irrigation
    • GI tract: non absorbable drugs such as kaolin, antacids, some antibiotics which are intended to remain within the GI tract and not absorbed
    • Bronchi and lungs: aerosol, inhalations
    • Vagina: Pessary, bolus, tablets
    • Rectum: Suppository, enema etc.
  • Tissues: Drugs can be administered to some of the tissue but are intended to act only on the site of absorption. eg. Intraauricular, intrathecal
  • Arterial: Some drugs are given intraarterially to act on the localized area supplied by the artery. Eg: angiography, anticancer drugs.