Intranasal is which administration of a medicine? Intranasal preparations

There are many different ways of introducing a drug into the human body. The first at the dawn of medicine used local methods in the form of applications, flavors, compresses and oral, including swallowing a number of dosage forms or sublingual resorption. With the development of medicine and the technology of delivery of the active substance, more complex methods have been applied to the target organ.

There were rectal and vaginal suppositories (suppositories), multicomponent tablets and capsules, including those coated with a coat, dissolved either by gastric juice, or by intestinal enzymes. Injection methods: intra- and subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intra-arterial, intraosseous. The drugs are injected into the joints and into the cavity of the organs.

Despite a rather simple route of administration, endotracheal and intranasal drugs have been used relatively recently. Of course, there were drops in the nose already with Hippocrates. However, intranasal is one of the ways of introducing the drug for delivery to other organs, and not an anti-edema medication in the common cold, and such an introduction was introduced just a few decades ago.

Groups of intranasal drugs that have a common (systemic) effect

Numerous studies have revealed that fighting with the common cold is not the only reason the drug is injected into the nasal cavity. A number of drugs that have a systemic effect are completely absorbed from the nasal mucus passages and reach their immediate destination.

Intranasal administration is possible for:

• H1-antihistamine (antiallergic);
• A-adrenomimetics (vasoconstrictor);
• Stabilizers of membranes of mast cells;
• Serotonergic (having different effects - from vasoconstriction to antiallergic);
• Hormonal and anti-hormonal;
• Narcotic analgesics ;
• Immunomodulators;
• Correctors of the cartilage and bone tissue metabolism;
• Psychostimulants and nootropics.

Features of intranasal drug administration

For quite a long time, pharmaceutical companies have tried to solve two unsolved problems with regard to the use of drugs that have a protein chemical structure. The stumbling block was the destruction of the protein-peptide component of the active substance by gastric juice and intestinal enzymes by oral ingestion. Also the problem was the phenomenon of the first passage through the liver - the binding of the active complex and its excretion.

The solution was found in the use of the injectable mode of administration and rectal suppositories. However, the first way is characterized by some technical complexity combined with unpleasant sensations. And the second was not effective enough because of low absorption in the end parts of the rectum. The decision came unexpectedly. It turned out that the intranasal is, like the injectable one, an introduction, in which a rapid onset of the therapeutic effect is achieved. And with the addition of certain concomitant substances, the same high bioavailability is provided, that is, the necessary concentration of the active ingredient at the site of its application.

Another useful property of intranasal administration was manifested in the extracellular (bypassing the absorption into the blood through the mucous membrane) penetration of the active substances into the brain. Getting to the olfactory zones, the drug is delivered along the fibers of the olfactory and trigeminal nerves.

The formulations of intranasal preparations

For introduction into the nasal cavity a rather limited number of pharmacological forms is used. First of all, this, of course, drops in the nose. It is possible to inhale powders with a finely dispersed structure. Ointment is used. Various solutions or broths of herbs for washing the nasal cavity to this group are not due to a short exposure to the mucosa during their application.

The main form of release of intranasal drugs that have a systemic effect are nasal sprays. They are available in the form of spray cans with compressed air or with an active pump-spray. Due to a certain amount of spray ejection with a single push, there is the possibility of a relatively controlled dosage of the drug.

Also, when using the spray, there is a uniform irrigation of the nasal mucosa. This contributes to a more complete absorption of the drug, which increases its pharmacological effect.

The main advantages of intranasal administration

Based on all of the above, it is possible to determine the key advantages that intranasal preparations possess. The ease and ease of introduction, which does not require additional technical equipment and special training, as in the case of injection methods, are quite significant on the part of their use by the patient.

From the standpoint of physiology and pharmacology, the possibility of a central action on the structures of the brain is the first place. A pronounced systemic effect, occurring in a short time, as with the injection method of administration, is also of great importance. Due to the absence of the phenomenon of the first passage through the liver, a high bioavailability of the drug and a small amount of undesirable reactions associated with it are ensured.

Disadvantages of the method

From the point of view of the systemic effect, the main problem is maintaining the level of the therapeutic concentration of the drug in the blood plasma. The agent is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak effect in a short time, therefore intranasal administration can be used only for short-term correction of conditions. Prolonged effect is possible only with the introduction of drugs that have an effect on the structure of the brain.

In addition, the development of local reactions to the nasal mucosa is possible. This is due to a sufficiently high concentration of the active substance in the composition of the spray and the content of additional components that ensure the maximum passage of the drug from the surface of the mucosa into the blood.

The possibility of absorption from the nasal cavity has a fairly limited number of drugs that have the necessary physico-chemical properties. In a patient, however, an elevated concentration of the active ingredient results in significant costs for the acquisition of the spray.

Intranasal immunomodulators

In the off-season or in the epidemic of colds for prevention and treatment are widely used drugs that increase the overall and local immune defense of the body.

Intranasal interferon is used for emergency prevention and protection.

At multiple researches it was found out, that the intranasal way of introduction immunomoduljatora promotes not only an obstacle of penetration of viruses-activators through a nasal mucosa. It also stimulates the work of their own defense forces - the activation of the production of their own interferons. To stimulate the production of endogenous interferon as a means of maintenance therapy, the drug "Anandin" is used intranasal.

Human Interferon

The preparation of specific immune defense, which has activity against most pathogens of viral colds, "Interferon" is available in the form of tablets, injections and powders for the preparation of drops. For prevention and treatment, you can use any form of release. But to provide local protection, preferably intranasal. This, as an invisible barrier, will prevent the penetration of a significant number of viruses into the cells of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. This will ensure a lower incidence in the epidemic.

Immunostimulator "Anandin", eye drops and intranasal

The drug was widely used due to the almost complete absence of side effects, adverse reactions and good immunostimulating effect. In addition to this, it also has a pronounced wound-healing property, which is important when applied in the form of eye drops in case of trauma to the cornea or conjunctiva.

Contraindications for use is only administered intramuscularly "Anandin". Intranasal drops are allowed at any age, during pregnancy, lactation and other physiological conditions or diseases.

If the allergic rhinitis

Often the cause of the itch in the nose, sneezing and abundant mucus is not the virus, but the antigen, which leads to a nonspecific immune reaction - allergies. In the complex treatment of this form of rhinitis, intranasal corticosteroids are often used. This is especially true for people suffering from seasonal forms of allergy - pollinosis.

In the period of flowering of certain plants, it is not enough for such patients to use only antihistamine drugs, which in most cases have a sedative effect. This is unacceptable when driving, working with machinery or in conditions of maximum mental concentration. Then local hormonal sprays are prescribed, which remove the manifestation of symptoms, without having a significant effect on the overall hormonal background.

Precautionary measures

Despite the wide availability and easy tolerability of such medications, it is important to remember that intranasal is, like any other medicine, which should be used exclusively for the doctor's prescription, in the dosage prescribed, the frequency and duration of administration.

There are often situations when you need to take several drugs at once, none of which can be canceled. Therefore, it will be necessary to find out whether they will not have a negative effect on the organism when combined. Instructions for use can not include all options for the development of an allergic reaction. That is why before taking such common drugs as suppositories, ointments and sprays, it is necessary to consult a specialist.