How are "parenteral medications" administered?

Parenteral medications are defined as those that are administered by injection, which allows them to bypass the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This method of administration is crucial for situations where rapid onset of action is needed, or when a patient cannot take medications orally due to various reasons such as nausea, vomiting, or unconsciousness.

The parenteral route includes various forms of injection such as intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC), providing flexibility in how medications are delivered based on their formulation and the required absorption rate. By administering medications this way, healthcare professionals can ensure that the drugs enter the systemic circulation directly, which can be more effective for certain treatments compared to oral administration, where medications must first pass through the digestive system and be metabolized by the liver before entering circulation.