Subcutaneous administration is classified as which of the following?

Subcutaneous administration is classified as parenteral. This classification refers to any route of administration that bypasses the digestive system, meaning that the medication is delivered directly into the body through means other than the gastrointestinal tract.

Subcutaneous injections involve delivering medication into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle. This method allows for a slower, more sustained absorption of the drug into the bloodstream compared to other routes like intravenous injection, which delivers medication directly into the veins, resulting in rapid systemic effects.

Other administration routes listed, such as topical and oral, are not considered parenteral. Topical administration involves applying a substance directly to the skin or mucous membranes for localized effects, while oral administration involves ingesting medication through the digestive system. Thus, categorizing subcutaneous administration as parenteral highlights its method of delivering medication directly into the body, distinct from routes that involve digestion and absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.