Medication Routes by Mouth

Oral: Simply place tablet or capsule in mouth and swallow. Easy right? Well, as long as you are conscious, do not have a problem swallowing, and not suffering from nausea, then this is the most popular route to go.

Buccal: Derived from Latin term “bucca” meaning cheek. Medication is placed between cheek and gum where it will dissolve. Nicotine lozenges are a popular example of a buccal medication.

Sublingual: Place medication under tongue where it will dissolve and provide a quick action response. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are a common treatment for patients with angina (chest pain).

Other Medication Routes

Routes that do not involve the mouth or esophagus are called parenteral. Here are the six types of parenteral routes:

Intramuscular: Inject into a large muscle such as arm or buttocks

Intradermal: Inject into top layer of skin

Subcutaneous: Inject between skin and muscle into fatty tissue

Intraventricular: Inject into brain cavities

Intracardiac: Inject into the heart

Intra-articular: Inject into a joint