Topical medication administration is also referred to as what?

Topical medication administration involves applying a drug onto the skin or mucous membranes for localized effect or systemic absorption. Transdermal administration is a specific type of topical administration where the drug is delivered through the skin into the bloodstream, typically using patches or gels designed to provide a continuous release of medication over a period of time. This method is effective for medications that need to be absorbed systemically while minimizing the first-pass metabolism that occurs with oral medications.

This understanding distinguishes transdermal administration from other routes of administration. Inhalation administration refers to delivering medications directly into the respiratory tract primarily for respiratory conditions. Subcutaneous administration involves injecting medications into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle, which is also not classified as topical. Intramuscular administration involves injecting a medication into a muscle, allowing for a different absorption rate compared to topical and transdermal routes.

Recognizing these distinctions is essential for effective medication administration and understanding pharmacokinetics.