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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Novel Methods for Intranasal Administration Under Inhalation Anesthesia to Evaluate Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
Published on: November 14, 2018
Use of intranasal medications in pediatric patients
Susan E Warrington1, Robert J Kuhn
1University of Kentucky HealthCare, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. susan.warrington@uky.edu
Insights
Intranasal medication delivery offers a fast, painless option for pediatric orthopedic care, including pain management and sedation. This method rivals intravenous delivery effectiveness while reducing patient and parent anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Intranasal administration of atomized medications is increasingly supported for pediatric use.
- Orthopedic specialists can utilize this method for pain management and sedation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the application of intranasal drug delivery for orthopedic specialists in pediatric pain management and sedation.
- To highlight intranasal delivery as a viable alternative to traditional methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of current evidence supporting intranasal medication administration in pediatrics.
- Focus on applications within pediatric orthopedic settings.
Main Results:
- Intranasal drug delivery provides a quick and painless alternative to invasive routes.
- Achieves clinical effects comparable to intravenous administration.
- Demonstrates a significant reduction in patient and parental anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Intranasal medication delivery is an effective and well-tolerated option for pediatric orthopedic pain management and sedation.
- Offers advantages in patient comfort and procedural ease compared to intravenous routes.
Abstract:
A growing body of evidence supports the intranasal administration of atomized medications for a wide variety of pediatric indications. This article describes their use applicable to orthopedic specialists in the areas of pediatric pain management, as well as pre- and intraoperative sedation. As a quick, painless alternative to more invasive routes of administration, intranasal drug delivery has shown similar time to clinical effect compared to the intravenous route, while minimizing anxiety in both patients and their parents.
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