What are "parenteral" medications?

Parenteral medications are specifically defined as those administered by routes other than the digestive tract. This includes various methods such as injections, which can be delivered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The characterization of parenteral medications is important because they bypass the gastrointestinal system, allowing for a direct entry into the bloodstream or targeted tissues, leading to quicker therapeutic effects.

Other forms of medication delivery, such as oral ingestion or topical application, involve different mechanisms of absorption and can have varied efficacy depending on factors such as patient health, the drug's formulation, and its intended effect. By focusing on methods that provide direct delivery into the body’s systems, parenteral medications are crucial in situations where rapid response or precise dosing is necessary.