Intratekaalisiaepitäydentäviä

Intratekaalisiaepitäydentäviä is a Finnish term that translates to "intrathecal supplements" in English. It refers to substances administered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid within the subarachnoid space. This route of administration bypasses the blood-brain barrier, allowing for targeted delivery of medications or other agents to the central nervous system.

Intrathecal administration is typically employed when systemic administration would be ineffective due to poor drug penetration into the brain or when systemic side effects are a significant concern. It can be used for various therapeutic purposes, including pain management (e.g., opioids, local anesthetics), treatment of spasticity (e.g., baclofen), and delivery of chemotherapy for certain central nervous system cancers.

The procedure involves inserting a needle into the lumbar subarachnoid space, a common and relatively safe location for accessing cerebrospinal fluid. The substance is then injected through this needle. While it allows for precise targeting and often lower systemic doses, intrathecal administration carries its own set of potential risks, including infection, bleeding, headache, and neurological complications. Therefore, it is a procedure performed by trained medical professionals in appropriate settings. The term itself highlights the direct, inside-the-theca (the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain) nature of the administration and the supplemental or additional role these substances play in treatment.