Dermatological administration routes

Diseases of the skin offer special opportunities to the clinician. In particular, the topical administration route is especially appropriate for skin diseases, although some dermatologic diseases respond as well or better to drugs administered systemically. 

All routes of drug administration can affect ocular structures and functions. OADRs have been associated with topical ophthalmic administrations as well as local injections. Systemically, oral drug administration has been implicated most frequently in the development of OADRs. However, parenteral as well as inhaled or nasally applied drugs have also produced OADRs. Topical application to the skin, particularly if it is abraded or burned, may result in sufficient systemic absorption to lead to ocular side effects. Dermatologic use of antibiotics has resulted in ocular hypersensitivity reactions. 

Emulsions are formulated for virtually all the major routes of administration, and there are a number of dermatological, oral and, parenteral preparations available commercially. The internal phase may contain water-soluble drugs, preservatives, and flavoring agents whilst the oil phase may itself be therapeutically active or may act as a carrier for an oil-soluble drug. Such preparations provide an effective approach to... 

Hormones, proteins, and small peptides are not suitable for oral administration without complex modifications in the formulation. A variety of approaches for insulin delivery, as a model drug, have been attempted to improve on its bioavailability. Advances have been realized in the delivery of insulin through oral, nasal, rectal, dermatologic, and ocular routes. Proteins can also be delivered transdermally, using a lipid-based, biphasic delivery system in therapeutic quantity. 

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