Which route corresponds to transcutaneous or transdermal delivery?

Which route corresponds to transcutaneous or transdermal delivery?

• A. Inhalation
• B. Transcutaneous
• C. Intramuscular
• D. Intranasal

Answer: (B)

Transcutaneous delivery is the route that involves applying the drug to the skin and allowing it to pass through the skin layers into the bloodstream, which is exactly what “transdermal” delivery refers to when the medication is intended for systemic effect. This distinguishes it from inhalation (through the lungs), intramuscular (into muscle tissue), or intranasal (through the nasal mucosa) routes, none of which use the skin as the absorption site. Therefore, the skin route—transcutaneous/transdermal delivery—is the correct match for these terms.

Transcutaneous delivery is the route that involves applying the drug to the skin and allowing it to pass through the skin layers into the bloodstream, which is exactly what “transdermal” delivery refers to when the medication is intended for systemic effect. This distinguishes it from inhalation (through the lungs), intramuscular (into muscle tissue), or intranasal (through the nasal mucosa) routes, none of which use the skin as the absorption site. Therefore, the skin route—transcutaneous/transdermal delivery—is the correct match for these terms.