Intrathecal Administration

Intrathecal administration is a route of drug administration by injection into the spinal canal, or subarachnoid space, so that the drug reaches the cerebrospinal fluid, used for applications such as spinal anesthesia, chemotherapy, pain management, and treating certain infections, particularly after neurosurgery. The route is chosen to bypass the blood brain barrier, since drugs given orally may not reach the brain, and drugs given intrathecally often must be specially compounded because they cannot contain preservatives or other inactive ingredients found in standard injectable preparations. A related method, intrathecal pseudodelivery, encapsulates the drug in a porous capsule placed in communication with the cerebrospinal fluid so the drug interacts with its target within the capsule itself, allowing localized treatment while avoiding systemic distribution.