Delivery system administration

Generally, inhaled glucocorticoids have few side effects, the appearance of which depends on the dose, the frequency of administration, and the delivery system used. The most common side effect is dysphonia (hoarseness), which affects approximately one third of treated patients. Oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush)... 

The nitrates are available in various forms (eg, sublingual, transmucosal, translingual spray, and inhalation). Some adverse reactions are a result of the metiiod of administration. For example, sublingual nitroglycerin may cause a local burning or tingling in the oral cavity. However, die patient must be aware that an absence of this effect does not indicate a decrease in the drug s potency. Contact dermatitis may occur from use of die transdermal delivery system. 

Desmopressin may be given orally, intranasally, SC, or IV. The oral dose must be determined for each individual patient and adjusted according to the patient s response to therapy. When the drug is administered nasally, a nasal tube is used for administration. The nasal tube delivery system comes with a flexible calibrated plastic tube called a rhinyle. The solution is drawn into the rhinyle. One end is inserted into the nostril and the patient (if condition allows) blows the other end to deposit solution deep into the nasal cavity. A nasal spray pump may also be used. Most adults require 0.2 mL daily in two divided doses to control diabetes insipidus. The drug may also be administered via the SC route or direct IV injection. 

Educating the Patient and Family If lypressin or desmopressin is to be used in the form of a nasal spray or is to be instilled intranasally usingthe nasal tube delivery system, the nurse demonstrates the technique of instillation (see Fhtient and Family Teaching Checklist Self-Adnrinistering Nasal Vasopressin). The nurse includes illustrated patient instructions with the drug and reviews them with the patient. If possible, the nurse lias the patient demonstrate the technique of administration. The nurse should discuss the need to take the drug only as directed by the primary health care provider. The patient should not increase the dosage (ie, the number or frequency of sprays) unless advised to do so by the primary health care provider. 

When administering nasally, a nasal tube is used for administration. The nasal tube delivery system comes with a flexible calibrated plastic tube called a rhinyle... 

Because these types of polymeric matrix systems are the simplest to design and the easiest to obtain approval by the Food and Drug Administration, they have been the most extensively studied in the past two decades. Numerous polymers have been evaluated for these types of drug delivery systems and although it would be impractical to present each of these polymers and its specific application to drug delivery, this chapter will review in general the types of polymers used as matrices for drug delivery (1-4). 

To date most drug delivery systems are designed to either overcome a barrier presented by or exploit an opportunity presented by a given route of administration. Often these two accomplishments are complementary. Each of the major routes present a unique set of barriers and exploitable characteristics. Consider the following major routes. 

Two basic questions arise from the biological system (excluding the route of administration discussed above) when the use of a polymeric drug delivery system is contemplated ... 

Notwithstanding the plaints above, the last question must be discussed can a delivery system be used to overcome conditions imposed by the biological system (excluding those posed by the route of administration) to achieve optimized therapy Two major approaches to this end have been proposed regional drug delivery and targeted drug delivery. 

In this brief overview some considerations with respect to the biological system vis-a-vis polymeric drug delivery have been qualitatively presented. Delivery systems can be designed to either overcome a barrier or take advantage of a property associated with a route of administration. Once introduced into a biological system, a delivery system s operation must be consistent with the operation of the biological system to achieve the desired goal based on temporal release pattern. 

M El-Samaligy, P Rohdewald. Triamcinolone diacetate nanoparticles, a sustained release drug delivery system suitable for parenteral administration. Pharm Acta Helv 57 201, 1982. 

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