ALTERNATIVE ROUTES OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION - ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES (SUBJECT REVIEW)

During the past 20 years, advances in drug formulations and innovative routes of administration have been made. Our understanding of drug tr ansport across tissues has increased. These changes have often resulte d in improved patient adherence to the therapeutic regimen and pharmac ologic response. The administration of drugs by transdermal or transmu cosal routes offers the advantage of being relatively painless.(1,2) A lso, the potential for greater flexibility in a variety of clinical si tuations exists, often precluding the need to establish intravenous ac cess, which is a particular benefit for children. This statement focus es on the advantages and disadvantages of alternative routes of drug a dministration. Issues of particular importance in the care of pediatri c patients, especially factors that could lead to drug-related toxicit y or adverse responses, are emphasized.