When drugs are given sublingually, they are put under the tongue, where they dissolve and are taken into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes.
This way of giving a drug is often better than taking it by mouth because it works faster, skips the digestive system, and doesn’t cause first-pass metabolism. But even though putting medicine under your tongue can be an effective way to take it, there are still steps you should take to make sure it’s safe.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the important safety measures that should be taken when taking drugs sublingually to make sure this method is safe and effective.
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Precautions To Be Taken While Administering Drugs Sublingually (Mnemonics) :
Verify the medication: Make sure that the medication is meant to be taken sublingually. Some drugs can have adverse effects if taken through this route.
- Inform the patient: Provide the patient with clear instructions on how to administer the medication sublingually and what to do if they experience any adverse effects.
Proper Dosage: Make sure you administer the correct dosage of medication.
- Store medication correctly: Store the medication as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Monitor the patient: Keep a close eye on the patient for any signs of adverse effects or complications.
Avoid Swallowing: Ensure that the medication is not swallowed, as it may not work as intended and may lead to side effects.
- Check for drug interactions: Make sure the patient is not taking any other medication that may interact with the sublingual medication.
- Keep the medication out of reach of children: Store the medication in a safe place where children cannot access it.
Proper Timing: Instruct the patient not to eat or drink anything for at least 10-15 minutes before and after administration.
Placement of medication: Place the medication under the tongue or between the cheek and gum
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