Oral administration

<p>Oral administration is a <a href="/facts/Route_of_administration/LsyoHTzH">route of administration</a> whereby a substance is taken through the <a href="/facts/Human_mouth/NJY6GYoA">mouth</a>, swallowed, and then processed via the <a href="/facts/Digestive_system/SdpF0sWq">digestive system</a>. This is a common route of administration for many medications.
</p><p>Oral administration can be easier and less painful than other routes of administration, such as <a href="/facts/Injection_(medicine)/fvkH58gk">injection</a>. However, the onset of action is relatively low, and the effectiveness is reduced if it is not absorbed properly in the <a href="/facts/Digestive_system/SdpF0sWq">digestive system</a>, or if it is broken down by <a href="/facts/Digestive_enzymes/aRYCbJHe">digestive enzymes</a> before it can reach the <a href="/facts/Bloodstream/WXwudzzc">bloodstream</a>. Some medications may cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as <a href="/facts/Nausea/dyhkcbeD">nausea</a> or <a href="/facts/Vomiting/R2vQkHqV">vomiting</a>, when taken orally. Oral administration can also only be applied to conscious patients, and patients able to swallow.
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Oral administration open-in-new

Oral administration