Drug Delivery Approaches for Buccal and Sublingual Administration

Abstract

Both local and systemic medication delivery benefit greatly from the sublingual and buccal modes of administration. They have shown to be a successful substitute for the conventional oral route, particularly in situations requiring a quick commencement of action. Via venous drainage to the superior vena cava, drugs can enter the systemic circulation quickly and directly. They are therefore helpful for individuals who have trouble swallowing as well as for medications that are highly cleared by the liver or degraded in the gastrointestinal system. Traditionally, medications that are delivered through the buccal and sublingual channels are made in three different dose forms: liquid (such as sprays and drops), semi-solid (such as gels), and solid (such as pills, wafers, films, and patches). Physiological variables frequently influence conventional dose forms, which might decrease the formulation’s interaction with the mucosa and result in unexpected medication absorption. Many formulation development advancements have been made to enhance medication absorption and retention in the buccal and sublingual areas. The physiological factors influencing buccal and sublingual drug delivery as well as developments in nanoparticulate drug delivery techniques for sublingual and buccal administration will be the main topics of this review. It also discusses about the clinical development pipeline, which includes formulations that have been authorized and are undergoing clinical studies.

Keywords

buccal - drug delivery - formulation - nanoparticles - sublingual

Publication History

Received: 05 January 2025

Accepted: 15 March 2025

Article published online:
22 April 2025

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