Intravenous
Intravenous drug delivery is a method of delivery by which the drug is injected directly into the blood stream via the vein. Intravenous (IV) medication administration refers to the process of giving medication directly into a patient's vein. Methods of administering IV medication may include giving the medication by rapid injection (push) into the vein using a syringe, giving the medication intermittently over a specific amount of time using an IV secondary line, or giving the medication continuously mixed in the main IV solution. IV medications are most often given through a peripheral line or saline IV lock, but may also be administered direct IV, through an implanted vascular access port or through a central line.
The primary purpose of giving IV medications is to initiate a rapid systemic response to medication. It is one of the fastest ways to deliver medication. The drug is immediately available to the body. It is easier to control the actual amount of drug delivered to the body by using the IV method and it is also easier to maintain drug levels in the blood for therapeutic response. The IV route for medication administration may be used if the medication to be delivered would be destroyed by digestive enzymes, is poorly absorbed by the tissue, or is painful or irritating when given by intra-muscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SQ) injection.
Advantages
Disadvantages
The Bioavailability of Intravenous Drug Delivery
The primary purpose of giving IV medications is to initiate a rapid systemic response to medication. It is one of the fastest ways to deliver medication. The drug is immediately available to the body. It is easier to control the actual amount of drug delivered to the body by using the IV method and it is also easier to maintain drug levels in the blood for therapeutic response. The IV route for medication administration may be used if the medication to be delivered would be destroyed by digestive enzymes, is poorly absorbed by the tissue, or is painful or irritating when given by intra-muscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SQ) injection.
Advantages
- Drug 100% bioavailable
- Rapid response
- Total control of blood concentration
- Maximize incorporation of degradable drugs
Disadvantages
- Invasive
- Trained personnel
- Possible toxicity due to incorrect dosing
- sterile
The Bioavailability of Intravenous Drug Delivery
- Complete (100%) systemic drug absorption.
- Drug is given for immediate or controlled effect.
- May inject large fluid volumes.
- Suitable for irritating drugs
- Increased chance for adverse reaction.
- Tissue damage at site of injection (infiltration, necrosis, or sterile abscess