Where is sublingual medication absorbed?

Sublingual medication is absorbed under the tongue. This route allows the medication to enter the bloodstream rapidly through the thin mucous membrane in the mouth. When a medication is placed under the tongue, it dissolves and is then absorbed directly into the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and the first-pass metabolism in the liver. This can lead to quicker onset of action compared to oral administration.

Other routes of absorption, such as in the stomach or small intestine, require the medication to undergo digestion before it enters circulation, which can delay its effects. The lungs are associated with inhalation medications rather than sublingual routes. Therefore, the absorption of sublingual medications is particularly beneficial for achieving rapid therapeutic effects.