What is a common route of administration for respiratory medications?

Inhalation is a common route of administration for respiratory medications because it allows for direct delivery to the lungs, where the medication can exert its effects more rapidly and effectively. This method minimizes systemic side effects and enhances drug deposition in the target tissues. For conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inhaled medications can provide immediate relief of symptoms by bronchodilation or reducing inflammation directly in the airways.

Other routes, such as oral ingestion and intravenous injection, can be less effective for respiratory conditions. Oral medications must pass through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream, which can delay the onset of action and reduce the amount of drug that actually reaches the lungs. Intravenous injection, while effective for rapid systemic effects, does not target the respiratory system directly and is not typically used for common respiratory treatments.

Subcutaneous injection is also not suitable for respiratory medications as it involves injecting the drug into tissues rather than delivering it directly into the respiratory tract. Therefore, inhalation remains the preferred and most effective method for administering medications designed to treat respiratory conditions.