Coming from the Latin term ‘bucca’ which means cheek, buccal relates to the oral administration or application of medicines, that does not involve ingestion. A buccal medicine is absorbed sublingually between the gums and the inner lining of the mouth in an area called the buccal pouch.
What is buccal administration?
Buccal administration is a method of medication administration. Buccal drugs directly enter our bloodstream once they have been dissolved and absorbed through the membranes that line the mouth, specifically between the gums and inner cheek.
What is the difference between oral administration and buccal administration?
Although both oral and buccal medicines are placed in the mouth - buccal medicines are not ingested or swallowed like oral medications are, instead they are absorbed through the mouth’s buccal pouch. This means they do not pass through the digestive system, and instead, they pass into the bloodstream within a matter of minutes, which allows their effects to be felt much faster than if swallowed.
Is buccal and sublingual administration the same?
No, buccal and sublingual administration are not the same, though both involve administering medication in the mouth for absorption through the mucous membranes.
Sublingual administration involves placing the medication under the tongue, where it is absorbed through the sublingual membrane. Both methods allow the medication to bypass the digestive system, leading to quicker absorption into the bloodstream, but they target different areas of the mouth.
What kind of medicines can be administered using the buccal route?
Typically, medications that have been manufactured for buccal administration are either in liquid form (packaged in a syringe), or come as lozenges, tablets, or dissolvable films. The medicine is then held in the mouth between the gum and inner cheek until it dissolves, or for the recommended amount of time, and then removed and disposed of.
Medical cannabis oil options are usually prescribed to be administered sublingually.
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If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.