What is the duration of action of oral medications compared to IM medications?

Oral medications typically have a longer duration of action compared to intramuscular (IM) medications. This difference in duration is primarily due to the absorption rates and metabolic processes involved with each route of administration.

When a medication is taken orally, it must first pass through the gastrointestinal system and then undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver before entering systemic circulation. This process can extend the time it takes for the medication to exert its effects, but it can also lead to a more prolonged action, as the medication is released slowly into the bloodstream.

In contrast, IM medications are absorbed more rapidly because they are injected directly into the muscle tissue, allowing for quicker access to the bloodstream. While this rapid absorption can lead to a faster onset of action, it often results in a shorter duration as the medication can be eliminated from the body more quickly.

Thus, oral medications tend to provide a more sustained therapeutic effect over a longer period compared to IM medications, which is why the answer indicating a longer duration of action is appropriate.