Which term describes drugs given by injection through any route besides the digestive tract?

• A. Oral medications
• B. Parenteral injections
• C. Topical preparations
• D. P.O.

Answer: (B)

Route of administration determines how a drug enters the body. Parenteral refers to non-oral routes, meaning drugs given by injection outside the digestive tract. This includes intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections. Bypassing the GI tract can be important when a drug would be destroyed by stomach acid, poorly absorbed, or required to act quickly, which is why injections are used for these medications. In contrast, oral medications are taken by mouth and go through the digestive system (and often undergo first-pass metabolism), while topical preparations are applied to the skin or mucous membranes. P.O. stands for per os, or by mouth.