Which term refers to a medication that is placed "under the tongue" for absorption?

The term that refers to a medication placed "under the tongue" for absorption is sublingual. This method allows the medication to dissolve and enter the bloodstream directly through the mucous membranes in the mouth, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and the first-pass metabolism by the liver. This route is particularly beneficial for medications that need to act quickly or for drugs that could be degraded in the stomach or intestines.

Oral administration involves swallowing the medication, which would require it to go through the digestive system before therapeutic effects can take place. Buccal refers to medications placed between the gums and the inner lining of the cheek, while parenteral refers to the administration of medication by injection directly into the body, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract entirely. Each of these methods has its specific applications and pharmacokinetic profiles, which makes understanding the sublingual route important for pharmacy technicians when determining how best to deliver medications to patients.