Rectal administration is used to achieve which type of effects?

Rectal administration is primarily utilized to achieve systemic effects. This method allows medication to be absorbed through the rectal mucosa and directly into the bloodstream. Because the rectal route can circumvent the digestive tract and hepatic first-pass metabolism, medications administered this way can provide a more rapid onset of action compared to oral administration, particularly when dealing with patients who are unable to take oral medications due to vomiting, nausea, or other reasons.

Additionally, rectal administration can also be beneficial for delivering drugs that may be poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract due to degradation by stomach acid or enzymes. This systemic absorption is a significant advantage of rectal administration, making it a preferred route for certain medications such as anti-nausea drugs or pain relievers in specific clinical situations.

While rectal administration can also provide local effects, such as delivering medication for conditions like hemorrhoids, the scope of the question relates to systemic benefits, which is the primary focus when considering the intended outcomes of this route of drug delivery.