Which term describes medications that enter the body through the digestive system?

• A. Enteral medications
• B. Parenteral medications
• C. Intravenous medications
• D. Sublingual medications

Answer: (A)

Medications that enter the body through the digestive system are described as enteral medications. This route includes things taken by mouth (tablets, capsules, liquids) that travel through the stomach and intestines to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Rectal administration also involves the GI tract and falls under this category. Absorption can be influenced by factors like gastric pH and motility, and oral meds may undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver before reaching systemic circulation. In contrast, parenteral routes deliver meds outside the GI tract (such as injections), with intravenous medications being a common example. Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue and absorbed through the oral mucosa, bypassing the stomach and intestines, so they are not considered enteral.