Shots, tablets and capsules
Syringes and needles carry a magical significance in many people’s mind. They believe that where ‘ordinary’ pills and capsules fail, shots can cure. But that’s all wrong. Shots, pills, capsules, liquids, creams, or sprays are merely a form to introduce different medications into the body. Medicine given in any form eventually enters the bloodstream and circulates to the site where its action is needed. Non-oral forms such as inhaled and injected medicines have more rapid action since they bypass the digestive system; but each form has its own drawbacks and advantages.
Tablets and liquids hold a major advantage that they can be taken easily. Unlike syringes and needles, they also do not carry any risk of infection. A shot causes discomfort and pain, requires the services of a nurse or doctor, and can still sometimes land you in trouble. Infections, abscesses and shots into a nerve root can be acutely distressing and painful. Adverse reactions tend to be generally more severe with injectable medicines than with oral medications.
However, injectable medicines also have their use in certain special situations. Some medicines cannot be taken by mouth because the digestive juices in the stomach would destroy them. A classical example is insulin. Take another situation: a person is unconscious or has an obstruction in the throat. He or she cannot be given anything by mouth. In this setting, intravenous and intra muscular shots can be the only way to administer a medication. In clinical situations where an immediate drug effect is needed, an intravenous injection may be the best choice.
The author is a well-known columnist, Senior Specialist, Safdarjung Hospital and Professor, VM Medical College
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