What is the term for medications given through the skin?

The term for medications given through the skin is transdermal administration. This method involves delivering medication directly through the skin's surface for systemic absorption into the bloodstream. Transdermal administration is commonly utilized with adhesive patches that release medication slowly over time, providing continuous delivery without the need for oral intake or injections. It is particularly beneficial for medications that require consistent blood levels or for those that might cause gastrointestinal irritation if taken orally.

Other methods of administration mentioned, like intravenous and subcutaneous, involve delivering substances into the body via veins or under the skin, respectively, while intradermal administration pertains to injecting medication into the dermis layer of the skin. These methods differ fundamentally from transdermal administration as they do not utilize the skin's surface for passive absorption into systemic circulation.