Which method of medication administration involves placing the drug under the tongue?

The method of medication administration that involves placing the drug under the tongue is known as sublingual administration. This technique is effective because the mucous membranes under the tongue allow for rapid absorption of the medication directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and potentially enhancing the onset of action.

Sublingual medications are particularly useful for delivering drugs that need to act quickly or require enhanced bioavailability. This route is preferred for specific types of medications, such as certain analgesics or nitroglycerin for angina, as it can provide prompt effects.

In contrast, other methods such as intradermal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous involve different routes of administration, each with distinct purposes and absorption mechanisms. Intradermal administration involves injecting into the dermis, intramuscular involves injecting deep into muscle tissue, and subcutaneous administration involves injecting into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle. Each of these methods has specific indications and absorption characteristics that differ from sublingual administration.