Sublingual Tablets : An Overview

Abstract

Drug delivery via the oral mucous membrane is considered to be a promising alternative to the oral route. Sublingual route is a useful when rapid onset of action is desired with better patient compliance than oraly ingested tablets. In terms of permeability, the sublingual area of the oral cavity (i.e. the floor of the mou) is more permeable than the buccal (cheek) area, which in turn is more permeable than the palatal (roof of the mouth) area. A rapid onset of pharmacological effect is often desired for some drugs, especially those used in the treatment of acute disorders. Sublingual tablets disintegrate rapidly and the small amount of saliva present is usually sufficient for achieving disintegration of the dosage form coupled with better dissolution and increased bioavailability.