Knowledge
Research administration
Routes of administration, bioavailability, half-life, practical workflow — the concepts that show up in every dosing paragraph.
4 questions
Why are different administration routes used for different peptides?
The route is chosen based on the peptide's stability, the target tissue, the desired absorption profile, and the clinical context. Subcutaneous injection is the workhorse; intranasal, intramuscular, and (in specific cases) oral are alternatives.
Why are peptides injected instead of taken orally?
The gastrointestinal tract is designed to digest proteins into amino acids. Peptides swallowed without protection are destroyed by stomach acid and intestinal enzymes before they can be absorbed.
What is bioavailability?
Bioavailability is the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation intact. Intravenous is 100% by definition; subcutaneous injection is 60–90%; oral is under 1% for most peptides.
What is half-life and why does it matter?
Half-life is the time it takes for the plasma concentration of a drug to fall to half of its starting value. It determines how often the drug needs to be dosed and how long its effect lasts.