Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

What are medications that are injected with a syringe called?

1. Transdermal patches

2. Ophthalmic preparations

3. Buccal tablets

4. Parenteral medications

The correct answer is: Parenteral medications

Medications that are injected with a syringe are referred to as parenteral medications. This classification includes any drug that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and is administered directly into the body via injections, which can occur through different routes such as intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. Parenteral administration allows for a faster and more controlled absorption into the bloodstream, making it particularly useful for medications that require immediate effects or are not suitable for oral ingestion due to factors like degradation by stomach acids or first-pass metabolism in the liver. The other options refer to different forms of medication delivery. Transdermal patches deliver medication through the skin for systemic effects, ophthalmic preparations are specifically formulated for eye administration, and buccal tablets dissolve between the gum and cheek for absorption through the oral mucosa. Each of these forms of delivery serves a unique purpose and route of administration, differentiating them from parenteral medications.