The route chosen is based on your ability to take medicine. The various routes are described below and compared in Table 1. The Oral Route Taking medicine by mouth, the oral route, is by far the easiest and cheapest way to take pain medicine. Nearly all people can manage pain completely with oral medicine. Most of the opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be given by the oral route.
Oral medicines come in pill, capsule, and liquid forms.
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.