What is the recommended administration route for most anthelmintics?

Most anthelmintics are designed to be administered orally because this route allows for effective absorption of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract, where many parasites reside. Oral administration facilitates the direct targeting of the intestinal lumen and tissues, making it suitable for drugs that need to act on helminths present in the digestive system.

Many anthelmintics have formulations that are designed for ease of administration in various patient populations, such as tablets, suspensions, or granules, enhancing adherence to treatment regimens. This method is particularly advantageous in both outpatient and home settings, where patients may be able to self-administer the medication without the need for clinical supervision associated with intravenous or subcutaneous routes.

Other routes like intravenous, subcutaneous, and topical administration are less common for anthelmintics because they may not provide the necessary local action in the gut or may be less convenient or effective for the type of infections these drugs target.