Drugs that are administered sublingually are drugs that disintegrate or dissolve when placed under the tongue. Once dissolved, they enter the circulation through the oral mucosa, thus allowing faster absorption than traditional oral intake. The latter, in fact, can lead to a loss of efficacy of the drug due to the passage through the digestive metabolism of the stomach and liver. Doctors recommend sublingual administration in case of special treatments, or to those patients who have difficulty swallowing or digesting drugs. Knowing how to administer a drug sublingually can help determine the correct dosage and ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Administer Drug Sublingually
Step 1. Wash your hands
This operation is to be done before and after the administration of the drug, it serves to prevent the spread of germs and infectious diseases.
- Soap your hands well with an antibacterial soap, not forgetting the areas between one finger and the other and under the nails. Rub well for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly with warm water. Check that there is no longer any trace of soap or dirt.
- Dry your hands with a clean disposable towel.
Step 2. If you need to help someone else take the drug, put on a clean pair of disposable gloves
Wearing latex or nitrile gloves protects both the patient and the person administering the drug from germs.
If you intend to use latex gloves, first check that the patient has no allergy to this material
Step 3. Verify that the drug was actually prescribed to be taken sublingually
Taking drugs in this way for which a different method of intake is provided can reduce their effectiveness. Among the drugs that are generally administered sublingually are:
- Heart medications (such as nitroglycerin or verapamil)
- Some steroids;
- Some opioids;
- Some barbiturates;
- The enzymes;
- Some vitamins;
- Some psychiatric drugs.
Step 4. Check the frequency and dosage of the drug
Before taking a medicine, or giving it to another, it is important to know the correct dosage and intervals.
Step 5. If necessary, split the pill
Some oral medications require the pill to be split up and only part of it being taken sublingually. In this case, it is necessary to cut the pill into two or more parts.
- If you have it, use a pill cutter. Breaking the pill with your hands or using a knife are methods that do not guarantee an equally accurate result.
- Clean the blade before and after use. It is very important to avoid the risk of contaminating with other substances neither the drug that is currently being administered, nor those that will be administered in the future.
Part 2 of 2: Sublingual Drug Administration
Step 1. Sit, or have the patient sit, with the back upright
While taking a drug, sit with your back upright.
Do not let the patient lie down and do not try to administer the drug if the patient is unconscious. It could lead to accidental inhalation of the drug
Step 2. While taking this medication, do not eat or drink
In fact, before taking the drug, rinse your mouth with water. This is important, because eating and drinking increases the risk of swallowing the drug, which would make it less effective.
Step 3. Refrain from smoking for at least one hour before taking
Cigarette smoke has a vasoconstrictive effect, as well as on blood vessels, also on the oral mucous membranes, thus reducing the absorption of the drug by the sublingual route.
Step 4. Be aware of the possible risks
Patients who have cuts or sores in their mouth may experience pain or irritation when administering a drug sublingually. Eating, drinking or smoking are all activities that can interfere with the absorption process and the amount of drug actually absorbed. It is generally recommended not to take drugs sublingually for prolonged periods.
Step 5. Put the pill under the tongue
It fits both left and right of the frenulum (the connective tissue under the tongue).
Tilt your head forward to avoid swallowing the pill
Step 6. Hold the pill under the tongue for the allotted time
Most drugs have an absorption time of approximately 1-3 minutes. Do not open your mouth, do not eat, do not speak, do not move and do not stand up to avoid the risk of the pill moving before it has completely dissolved.
- The time it takes for it to dissolve varies from one drug to another. To find out how long it takes for a sublingual drug to dissolve, ask a pharmacist or consult a doctor.
- If sublingual nitroglycerin is potent, you should feel a slight tickling sensation on the tongue.
Step 7. Do not ingest the drug
Sublingual drugs are absorbed under the tongue.
- Ingesting them, on the other hand, can cause irregular or incomplete absorption and cause the dosage to be incorrect.
- In case of accidental ingestion, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to correct the dosage.
Step 8. Wait a while before drinking or rinsing your mouth
This will allow the drug to dissolve completely and be absorbed by the mucous membranes.
Advice
- Try sucking on a peppermint or taking a small sip of water right before taking the medicine to make salivation easier.
- Depending on how long it takes for the medicine to dissolve, it may be helpful to think of something to do that doesn't involve talking. Try reading a book or magazine, or watching television.
Warnings
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Do not attempt to sublingually take any drug for which a different method of administration is prescribed.
Some drugs require the digestive process to be absorbed: if taken sublingually, they can be less effective or even dangerous.
