What does intrathecal administration involve?

Intrathecal administration involves delivering medication directly into the sheath surrounding the spinal canal, specifically the subarachnoid space where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is located. This method allows for a more direct and effective delivery of drugs, particularly those that need to act on the central nervous system, as it bypasses the blood-brain barrier. Medications administered this way can achieve therapeutic concentrations in the CSF rapidly and with minimal systemic absorption, providing immediate effects for conditions such as chronic pain or certain types of cancer therapy.

Other routes of administration listed, such as intravenous (into a vein), intramuscular (into muscle tissue), and subcutaneous (under the skin), involve different target areas and mechanisms of action, making them less suitable for the specific needs that intrathecal administration addresses.