THE BUCCAL ROUTE OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION

DRUG ADMINISTRATION THROUGH BUCCAL ROUTE

   The buccal route or sublingual route which is much related to the oral administration of drugs; however in this case the medication is not to be swallowed. 

    The tablet is usually to be placed under the tongue or in the buccal, the pouch of the cheek. The medications are subjected to be dissolved in the buccal. The drug administration through the buccal route is more advantageous because it's readily absorption and bypassing through the gastrointestinal tract. In case of heart patient, the drug named nitroglycerine is likely to be administered by the sublingual route for rapid onset of action.

The buccal route of drug administration

    The drug administered by the buccal route is usually formulated as tablet or spray which is readily be absorbed from the buccal cavity. the highly vascular nature of tongue and buccal cavity and the presence of saliva which are the main factor to facilitate the drug dissolution. The buccal route of drug administration is commonly preferred for the local action because it produces the local effect. 

The two sites are often used for better absorption from the buccal cavity. They are sublingual route and buccal route.

• In case of sublingual absorption, the site where the medication is to be placed is the space under the tongue. This site is reported to have rapid onset of action of drug. The duration of action is short.

• For the purpose of buccal absorption, the site to be used is buccal sulcus. This is the place between the upper or lower lip and the gum. The dosage form specially the tablet is readily be absorbed to produce the quick onset of action. Its duration of action is very long.

 The advantages of drug administration by the buccal or sublingual route are:

• Relatively quick onset of action of the drug administered by this route.
• After the absorption of the drug from the buccal cavity it goes directly into the systemic blood circulation. So, this medication can avoid the first pass effect in the liver.
• This route is more useful for the unconscious patients.