

majority of commonly prescribed non-IV Benzodiazepines) or illicit (e.g.

For example, two specific commonly prescribed or otherwise consumed drug classes, whether licit (e.g. Generalizations aside, the degree of relative bioavailability variation (with such large variations also including decreased relative bioavailabilities, with both variables unique to particular drugs in particular formulations) between nasal and oral administration in any one particular randomized drug is high. A more appropriate non-parenteral consumption route to label as being "only marginally slower" to IV use would arguably be smoking/vaping (assuming the drug exists in a molecular form conducive to combustion/vaporization.Īrguably The bioavailability of drugs administered nasally is generally significantly higher than drugs taken orally. While nasal administration has the potential capacity to result in increased onset times relative to oral use for specific drugs, it is typically slower in onset than even rectal administration (when administered in liquid form utilizing a solvent with sufficient solubility for that drug formulation) for the vast majority of substances, let alone parenteral or specifically IV use. While what can be defined as "marginal" is surely debatable, a much more appropriate use of the previous sentence would arguably apply when comparing drug onset rates via non-IV, parenteral administration routes, such as Intramuscular, Intradermal, or Subcutaneous injection.

The time of onset for systemic drugs delivered via nasal administration is generally only marginally slower than if given intravenously. Drugs administered in this way can have a local effect or a systemic effect. Other methods are nasal inhalation and nasal instillation. Nasal insufflation is the most common method of nasal administration. Insufflated gases and vapors are used to ventilate and oxygenate patients ( oxygen, air, helium), and to induce, assist in or maintain general anaesthesia ( nitrous oxide, xenon, volatile anesthetic agents). However, the insufflation by the pump is not adequate for delivery to the lungs, necessitating an active inhalation by the patient. Pump inhalers for asthmatics deliver aerosolized drugs into the lungs via the mouth. Positive airway pressure is a mode of mechanical or artificial ventilation based on insufflation. It is also used by breath-hold divers to increase their lung volumes. Glossopharyngeal insufflation is a breathing technique that consists of gulping boluses of air into the lungs. It is used with patients with neuromuscular disease and muscle weakness due to central nervous system injury. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation simulates a cough and assists airway mucus clearance. Oxygen can be insufflated into the nose by nasal cannulae to assist in respiration. Gases can be insufflated into parts of the body to enhance radiological imaging or to gain access to areas for visual inspection (e.g. The most common gas used in this manner is carbon dioxide, because it is non-flammable, colorless, and dissolves readily in blood. Gases are often insufflated into a body cavity to inflate the cavity for more workroom, e.g.
