What is the sublingual route?

The sublingual route refers to the administration of medication placed under the tongue for slow dissolution and absorption into the bloodstream. This method is effective because the tissues under the tongue are highly vascularized, allowing for rapid absorption directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. This can lead to quicker onset of action compared to oral medications that must first go through the gastrointestinal tract.

Other routes of administration, such as injections into the vein, muscle, or applying drugs within the cheek, do not encapsulate the unique characteristics of the sublingual method, which emphasizes both placement and absorption through the sublingual mucosa. The sublingual route is particularly useful for medications that need to act quickly or that could be degraded by the digestive enzymes.