Drug administration routes

Drug administration routes refer to how medication is delivered into the body. Common methods include oral (swallowed pills or liquids), which go through the digestive system; injectable (shots) into muscles, veins, or under the skin for quick, targeted effects; topical (creams, patches) applied to the skin for local treatment; inhalation (breathing in medication via inhalers or sprays) for rapid absorption in the lungs; and suppositories inserted into the rectum or vagina. Each route affects how fast and where the medicine works, depending on the condition being treated and the medication's nature.