Parenteral
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Parenteral administration of a drug uses a means of administration that introduces the dose directly into the body, bypassing digestion, skin absorption, inhalation, etc. Most commonly, some type of injection is used for parenteral therapy, either through a hypodermic syringe or intravenous catheter.
Injection routes include:
- intradermal: in the surface layer of the skin
- subcutaneous: below the surface of the skin, but not in muscle or a blood vessel
- intramuscular: into muscle tissue
- intravenous: into a vein, often using an indwelling catheter for prolonged therapy
- intrathecal: through a lumbar puncture into the cerebrospinal fluid
Drugs, including radioisotopes, may be inserted during surgery.