The majority of medication taken via the mouth (orally) is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. The woman or baby needs to be compliant, alert and able to swallow. If this is not possible or if faster absorption is required then an alternative route should be prescribed. Many preparations can be found in alternative forms. Oral preparations may be affected by other constituents in the stomach, and so the manufacturer’s directions should be followed (e.g. before, during or after a meal) for maximum effectiveness. The medication is prescribed as for any other prescription (see Chapter 18); P.O. (through the mouth) is the agreed abbreviation.

Medicine cups with gradations on the side are used; these may be disposable or washed and reused. Elixirs may be poured into a medicine cup, or ‘drawn up’ using an oral medicine syringe. Oral medicine syringes were originally designed for children, they are often a different colour and have a non-Luer tip so that a needle cannot be connected. This prevents accidental administration of oral medicines via intramuscular or intravenous routes. They are supplied sterile, but for older children the syringe may be washed and reused. It is supplied with a bung that fits into the bottle neck, this allows the bottle to be inverted and the correct dose drawn into the syringe at eye level.

Some inhalational drugs (e.g. Entonox®, oxygen) may be taken via the mouth, but in this chapter only the following oral medications are considered: