What is the route of administration for medication placed in the vagina?

The route of administration for medication placed in the vagina is vaginal. This method involves the introduction of medication directly into the vaginal canal, allowing for localized treatment of conditions affecting the vagina or surrounding areas. The vaginal route is beneficial for several reasons, including ease of self-administration, minimal systemic absorption, and direct effects on the targeted area, which can enhance therapeutic outcomes for issues like infections or hormonal replacement therapy.

In contrast, intradermal administration involves injecting medication into the dermis layer of the skin, which is typically used for allergy testing or vaccinations. Rectal administration involves inserting medication into the rectum, often used when oral administration is not possible, but it targets a different bodily area than vaginal administration. Intramuscular administration consists of injecting medication into a muscle, suitable for drugs that require quick absorption but also serves a distinctly different purpose and area of effect than the vaginal route.