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Decoding sublingual drugs: Which drugs can be used this way and why are they more effective?
Sublingual drug delivery (SL) is a relatively new way of drug delivery, which can absorb drugs into the bloodstream more quickly and effectively. According to research, this route of administration is suitable for a variety of drugs, ranging from cardiovascular drugs and steroids to certain proteins and, in recent years, even vitamins and minerals, which can be administered sublingually. With the advancement of science and technology, the scope of application of this drug delivery technology has gradually expanded.
When a chemical comes into contact with the mucous membrane under the tongue, it is absorbed into the blood circulation, which allows the drug to work more quickly and avoid metabolic processes in the intestines.
The principle of sublingual drug delivery is that the connecting tissue under the tongue contains rich capillaries, allowing drug ingredients to quickly penetrate these tissues into the blood. In contrast, oral drugs must pass through the intestines and may undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver, a process that may cause the drug to lose some or all of its efficacy. Therefore, the rapid onset of action of sublingual administration has become one of its outstanding advantages.
Dosage form
Medication preparations made specifically for sublingual administration come in several forms, the most common of which include:
- Sublingual tablets: such as nitroglycerin and the antiemetic ondansetron.
- Sublingual strips: like Suboxone, melt easily.
- Granules or powder: can be placed under the tongue for absorption.
- Sublingual Spray: Convenient form for rapid administration.
- Oral tablets: control release and rate of administration.
Almost any form of substance can be administered sublingually as long as it dissolves easily in saliva.
Another significant benefit of sublingual administration is that many drugs are relatively bioavailable through this route. For example, certain psychoactive substances such as LSD and MDMA can achieve better results through this method. Since it enters the blood circulation directly, this method can effectively avoid the intestinal breakdown of these drugs.
Applications of psychoactive drugs
In addition to traditional medicines, the effectiveness of many psychoactive substances increases with sublingual administration. These substances include, but are not limited to: alprazole, clonazepam, and various hallucinogens. In this process, the drug is usually in powder form and is placed directly under the tongue so that it can quickly enter the blood circulation when absorbed. This makes this method a commonly used alternative to traditional oral medications.
This method has the advantage of being quickly effective, however excessive salivation may also lead to drug loss.
Application to allergens
In addition to drugs, sublingual administration is also used in allergen immunotherapy. Sublingual administration of low-dose allergens can effectively stimulate the immune system and reduce allergic reactions. This method is being valued by more and more studies and has shown its potential therapeutic effect.
The potential of therapeutic peptides and proteins
Recent studies have shown that sublingual delivery may also be a possibility for the delivery of certain therapeutic peptides and proteins, which are not readily stable in the gastrointestinal tract and typically require injection. With the development of technology, more and more companies are exploring the application of sublingual drug delivery in these bioactive substances, hoping to improve the efficacy and patient drug delivery experience.
Potential applications of vaccines
In addition to the above applications, sublingual delivery also shows good potential in vaccination. Studies have confirmed that sublingual vaccines have good immune responses against influenza viruses and Helicobacter pylori, and are expected to be extended to the prevention of other infectious diseases in the future.
In short, sublingual drug delivery is not only a convenient method of drug delivery, but also a technology that improves efficacy and bioavailability. However, the long-term effects of this method and its applicability to various drugs still require more research and discussion. Can we better utilize this drug delivery technology to improve human health in the future?
