Endotracheal administration route

Endotracheal administration of gentamicin can be used in patients with a tracheotomy. This route of administration does not produce toxic plasma concentrations, but in patients with renal insufficiency the absorption of a certain amount via the respiratory tract should be taken into account. 

The endotracheal (ET) route has been used to administer medications during CPR when other routes, such as the i.v. route, are unavailable. It provides rapid access as well as rapid drug absorption and distribution.Some studies have shown that the time to reach peak absorption is similar to that for the i.v. route, but serum concentrations achieved were 10-33% of that achieved with i.v. administration, resulting in a weaker response. A depot effect has also been demonstrated for drugs such as epinephrine. Work needs to be done to determine the optimal dose by this route, drug-delivery vehicle, and the most effective delivery technique. 

Drug administration route In six patients undergoing elective surgery during general anesthesia endotracheal flumazenil 1.0 mg in 10 ml of saline therapeutic blood concentrations were rapidly achieved [12T],... 

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