Which route is used to deliver medication by placing it under the tongue to dissolve slowly?

• A. Sublingual route
• B. Mucus membrane route
• C. Oral route
• D. Buccal route

Answer: (A)

Placing a medication under the tongue to dissolve leverages the sublingual route. The tissues under the tongue are highly vascular, so the drug can be absorbed quickly directly into the bloodstream. This bypasses the digestive system and first-pass metabolism in the liver, leading to a faster and more predictable onset for certain drugs.

This is distinct from the buccal route, which uses the space between the cheek and gum. It’s also different from the oral route, where the medication is swallowed and absorbed through the digestive tract. While mucous membranes are involved in all these routes, the specific location “under the tongue” identifies the sublingual route.