American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is a drug delivery route for 5-ASA medications?

1. Intramuscular injection

2. Topical delivery to the bowel lumen

3. Oral suspension only

4. Transdermal patch

The correct answer is: Topical delivery to the bowel lumen

5-ASA medications, such as mesalamine, are commonly used for treating inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. The most effective way to target the inflamed tissues in the bowel is through topical delivery directly to the bowel lumen. This route allows the medication to exert its therapeutic effect precisely where it is needed, minimizing systemic side effects and maximizing local efficacy. While some formulations of 5-ASA can be administered orally, the question emphasizes the specific drug delivery method that allows for more direct action in the gastrointestinal tract. Other routes listed, such as intramuscular injection or transdermal patches, are not utilized for 5-ASA medications due to their limited application for targeting intestinal inflammation. Thus, topical delivery to the bowel lumen is the appropriate and preferred method for administering 5-ASA drugs effectively, ensuring optimal release and action at the site of disease.