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The Hidden Treasures of Oral Drugs: Why Does Intrabuccal Administration Make Medications Work Faster?
Among the methods of drug administration, buccal administration has gradually received more and more attention. This method allows the drug to dissolve on the buccal oral mucosa and enter the blood system quickly, thus avoiding the digestive tract and first-pass effects of traditional oral administration. This means that, in many cases, intrabuccal administration not only improves the bioavailability of the drug but also allows it to take effect more quickly.
Drug forms for intrabuccal administration
Intrabuccal drug forms usually include intrabuccal tablets and films. Intrabuccal tablets are composed of drugs, powder mixtures, expanded polymers and other dosages, and are made by direct compression. Not only are these drugs easy to use, they also provide an effective alternative when patients are unable to swallow, such as those suffering from coma, nausea, and dysphagia. Many common clinical drugs such as Fentanyl, Hydrocortisone and Prochlorperazine can be administered in this way.
Mechanism of intrabuccal drug administration
The buccal mucosa is composed of non-keratinized tissue with many elastic structures, which makes it easier for drugs to penetrate and enter the blood system. Compared with digestion and metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract, intrabuccal administration can quickly bring about local or systemic effects. Small molecule and lipid-soluble drugs generally enter the bloodstream using transcellular pathways, while hydrophilic drugs are absorbed through intercellular pathways. These different routes make intrabuccal administration a convenient and effective way to deliver drugs, especially in emergency situations.
“Intrabuccal administration provides many patients with an alternative that does not require swallowing, especially in emergency settings, and its rapid onset of action undoubtedly enhances the flexibility of drug use.”
Clinical application of intrabuccal administration
A variety of drugs have been formulated into intrabuccal forms and are widely used in medical practice. For example, flucoxib is commonly used for pain relief in cancer patients. Hydrochlorothiazide is used to relieve canker sores, while profluthiazide, which helps relieve nausea, can be used in migraine patients. These drugs are selected for their rapid entry into the bloodstream and their ability to take effect more quickly.
Advantages and Challenges
Compared with other methods of drug administration, the advantages of intrabuccal drug administration mainly lie in its rapid onset of drug effect, ease of use and flexibility in drug release. However, this method is not infallible. If the drug is accidentally swallowed, it may cause choking, and some patients may show oral discomfort or allergic reactions. The limitation of long-term use also makes this treatment method not necessarily suitable in some cases.
"Despite the many conveniences it provides, intrabuccal administration must still be used with caution and in compliance with professional medical advice to avoid unnecessary risks."
Formulation and production of intrabuccal administration
The production of intrabuccal tablets usually relies on direct compression and involves various adjuvants to ensure drug release and biocompatibility. Although these formulations are carefully designed to achieve long contact times, it is important to note that saliva flushing and oral mechanical stress may affect drug release and effectiveness. How to overcome physiological obstacles while ensuring therapeutic efficacy is one of the challenges.
Taken together, intrabuccal drug delivery represents an innovation in the way of drug administration, providing a more direct and effective medication regimen. Clinically, with an in-depth understanding of this technology, we can expect to achieve more breakthroughs in efficacy and safety in the future. However, as this new way of taking medicine becomes more common, are we ready to face the medical challenges and opportunities of the future?
