Which route delivers medication in the cheek?

Which route delivers medication in the cheek?

• A. Sublingual
• B. Buccal
• C. Oral
• D. Rectal

Answer: (B)

Getting medication into the cheek uses the buccal route. The drug is placed against the inner lining of the cheek (buccal mucosa) and absorbed directly into the bloodstream as it dissolves there, bypassing the digestive system for faster onset. This is different from the sublingual route, which is held under the tongue and also bypasses the gut but uses a different location. The oral route requires swallowing, so it goes through the stomach and intestines and is slower and subject to digestion. The rectal route delivers medication via the rectum and has no relation to placement in the cheek.

Getting medication into the cheek uses the buccal route. The drug is placed against the inner lining of the cheek (buccal mucosa) and absorbed directly into the bloodstream as it dissolves there, bypassing the digestive system for faster onset. This is different from the sublingual route, which is held under the tongue and also bypasses the gut but uses a different location. The oral route requires swallowing, so it goes through the stomach and intestines and is slower and subject to digestion. The rectal route delivers medication via the rectum and has no relation to placement in the cheek.