Children might prefer liquid medicines. Tablets and capsules can be made in such a way that the medicine is released gradually in what is called controlled-release forms. Controlled-release medicine must be given whole in order to work the right way. Only a very few people need to use other routes of administration during illness. People who have trouble swallowing might not be able to take pills or liquids.
Digestive problems can block or impair the action of some medicines.
Mouth sores or a sore throat may make it hard or painful to swallow. In addition, many people need to use more than one route to keep pain under control during the last few weeks of life. When medicine can't be taken by mouth, the rectal or transdermal route could be tried. In the rectal route, medicine in a suppository is placed into the rectum. The suppository, which is made of a sugarlike substance with the medicine added in, melts from body heat and releases the medicine.