Sublingual drug administration

Lamey PJ, Lewis MAO (1990) Buccal and sublingual delivery of drugs. In Florence AT, Salole EG (eds.) Routes of Drug Administration. Butterworth Co. (Publishers) Ltd., Norfolk, pp 30-47... 

The oral route is, of course, the principal enteral route of drug administration. However, two other examples are worthy of note. First, the sublingual route (beneath the tongue) provides relatively good absorption because of its rich capillary bed it is routinely used for the administration of nitroglycerin tablets in the treatment of... 

Two sites within the buccal cavity have been used for drug administration. Using the sublingual route, as for glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), the medicament is placed under the tongue, usually in the form of a... 

Eight routes of drug administration were discussed in detail oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, inhalation, intranasal, sublingual, and transdermal. A route of administration is selected according to the drug taken and the goals and circumstances of administration. 

Buccal and sublingual administration Oromucosal drug administration is possible, although mainly limited by ability and compHance concerns in the younger age group. It might be difficult in babies due to feeding patterns. Safety needs to be established in children. 

Compared with other routes of administration, different mucosa that line the oral cavity (buccal and sublingual sites of drug administration) offer advantages that include (1) being noninvasive, (2) producing a rapid onset of action,... 

The nitrates are available in various forms (eg, sublingual, transmucosal, translingual spray, and inhalation). Some adverse reactions are a result of the metiiod of administration. For example, sublingual nitroglycerin may cause a local burning or tingling in the oral cavity. However, die patient must be aware that an absence of this effect does not indicate a decrease in the drug s potency. Contact dermatitis may occur from use of die transdermal delivery system. 

Gu X, Simons KJ, Simons FER Administration by sublingual tablet feasible for the first aid treatment of anaphylaxis A proof-of-concept study. Diophar Drug Dispos 2002 23 213-216. 

Opioids maybe administered in a variety of routes including oral (tablet and liquid), sublingual, rectal, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, subcutaneous, and intraspinal. While the oral and transdermal routes are most common, the method of administration is based on patient needs (severity of pain) and characteristics (swallowing difficulty and preference). Oral opioids have an onset of effect of 45 minutes, so intravenous or subcutaneous administration maybe preferred if more rapid relief is desired. Intramuscular injections are not recommended because of pain at the injection site and wide fluctuations in drug absorption and peak plasma concentrations achieved. More invasive routes of administration such as PCA and intraspinal (epidural and intrathecal) are primarily used postoperatively, but may also be used in refractory chronic pain situations. PCA delivers a self-administered dose via an infusion pump with a preprogrammed dose, minimum dosing interval, and maximum hourly dose. Morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone are commonly administered via PCA pumps by the intravenous route, but less frequently by the subcutaneous or epidural route. 

When the first-pass effect of a drug going through the liver must be avoided, a parenteral route of administration is usually chosen, although a sublingual route or dermal patch will also avoid the first-pass effect. 

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