perorale

Perorale is an adjective used in medicine and pharmacology to denote administration by mouth. In many languages, including Italian and other medical literature, perorale describes routes that are taken orally, as opposed to parenteral routes (injection, infusion) or topical routes.

Common forms include tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, and emulsions formulated for oral consumption. Dosing instructions often specify whether the drug should be taken with food, on an empty stomach, or with a full glass of water. Perorale administration relies on gastrointestinal absorption and is subject to first-pass metabolism in the liver, which can reduce systemic bioavailability for some drugs.

Pharmacokinetic variability can arise from factors such as age, gastric pH, motility, presence of food, and interactions with other medications. For this reason, certain drugs require dosing adjustments or alternative routes in patients with swallowing difficulties, vomiting, or impaired GI function.

Advantages of perorale administration include ease of use, non-invasiveness, and suitability for self-administration and outpatient therapy. Limitations include slower onset of action for some drugs, variable absorption, and intolerance in patients with gastroesophageal disorders or impaired consciousness.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from Latin per os, meaning by mouth. In clinical labeling and multilingual texts, perorale or per os may be used interchangeably to indicate oral administration. See also enteral administration, oral dosage forms, and parenteral administration.