What type of drug form is typically used for sublingual administration?

Sublingual administration involves placing a drug under the tongue, where it dissolves and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This route is often selected for specific drug forms that can rapidly dissolve without requiring the patient to swallow them, which could delay absorption.

Tablets or films designed for sublingual administration are formulated to dissolve quickly and efficiently in saliva. These products are specially designed to ensure that the active ingredient is released promptly and absorbed well through the rich blood supply in the sublingual area. Thus, this method of absorption avoids first-pass metabolism by the liver, allowing for quicker onset of action, which is particularly important for certain medications used in emergencies or those requiring rapid therapeutic effects.

The other options do not suit the sublingual route. Liquid suspensions may require swallowing and can have variable absorption rates. Capsules typically need to be broken down in the gastrointestinal tract, which is not suitable for the sublingual route. Injectables, while they provide rapid absorption, are not taken sublingually, as they require a different route of administration entirely (usually intramuscular or intravenous) and involve a different mechanism of onset. Therefore, tablets or films made specifically for sublingual use are the most appropriate form for