TIME OF ONSET OF ACTION USING DIFFERENT ROUTES OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Drugs take different time durations after injection using different routes to perform their actions. This time delay is important, oral route has controlled release time, thus depot or reservoir preparation may be made e.g. penicillin for rheumatic fever. Usage of drug depends on its physical properties, chemical properties, speed of action, need and bypass effect.

Some of the approximate time intervals are given below:

     

Route of Drug Administration	Delay time for Action
Intravenous route	With in 30-60 seconds
Intraosseous route	With in 30-60 seconds
Endotracheal inhalation	With in 2-3 minutes
Sublingual route	With in 3-5 minutes
Intramuscular route	With in 10-20 minutes
Rectal route	With in 5-30 minutes
Ingestion	With in 30-90 minutes