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Administration Routes

Meaning

Administration Routes are the distinct pathways by which a therapeutic agent, such as a hormone or peptide, is introduced into the body to elicit a systemic or localized effect. These delivery methods fundamentally govern the pharmacokinetics of the compound, influencing its rate of absorption, metabolic breakdown, and ultimate bioavailability at the target tissues. Clinical selection of the route is a precise decision based on the molecule’s chemical structure, the desired speed of action, and the need to circumvent potential deactivation mechanisms like hepatic first-pass metabolism. Common endocrine routes include transdermal patches for sustained delivery, subcutaneous injections for peptides, and oral formulations for certain steroids. Effective hormonal optimization relies on matching the compound with the most physiologically appropriate delivery system.