What does "intranasal" refer to in terms of medication administration?

"Intranasal" specifically refers to the administration of medication directly into the nasal cavity. This route allows for efficient absorption of the drug through the mucous membranes in the nose, making it a useful method for medications that require rapid onset of action or that might not be effective when administered by other routes.

The characteristics of intranasal administration include its non-invasive nature and the ability to bypass the digestive system, which can be beneficial for drugs that may be degraded by stomach acid or not absorbed well when taken orally. In veterinary medicine, this method is often employed for vaccines, sedatives, and certain treatments to ensure quick and effective therapeutic effects.

Other options refer to different routes of administration, such as intramuscular (into the muscle), ophthalmic (into the eye), and subcutaneous (under the skin), but these do not align with the specific definition of "intranasal."