Which route is defined by placing the drug within the cheek or the oral cavity?

Which route is defined by placing the drug within the cheek or the oral cavity?

• A. Buccal route
• B. Sublingual route
• C. Oral route
• D. Topical route

Answer: (A)

Placing a drug in the cheek is buccal administration. The buccal mucosa inside the cheek is highly vascular, so the drug is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the mouth, leading to relatively rapid systemic effects. This differs from swallowing the drug for digestion (oral route), and from placing a drug under the tongue (sublingual route), which are separate mucosal sites. Topical administration is for local effect on the skin or mucous membranes and isn’t defined by placing the drug in the cheek.

Placing a drug in the cheek is buccal administration. The buccal mucosa inside the cheek is highly vascular, so the drug is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the mouth, leading to relatively rapid systemic effects. This differs from swallowing the drug for digestion (oral route), and from placing a drug under the tongue (sublingual route), which are separate mucosal sites. Topical administration is for local effect on the skin or mucous membranes and isn’t defined by placing the drug in the cheek.