What is the primary characteristic of buccal administration?

Buccal administration is characterized by the absorption of drugs through the mucous membranes located in the mouth, specifically between the gums and the inner lining of the cheek. This route allows medications to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and enter the bloodstream more directly, facilitating a quick onset of action. The mucosal membranes are highly vascularized, promoting effective absorption without the degradation that some drugs may encounter when transported through the digestive system.

Other methods of drug administration, such as injections, inhalation, and oral intake, operate via different physiological pathways. Injected drugs are delivered directly into the bloodstream or tissues, bypassing the absorption phase involved in buccal administration. Inhalation involves the respiratory system and delivers drugs for systemic or local effect via the lungs. On the other hand, drugs absorbed through the intestinal lining necessitate consumption via the oral route, where they must undergo digestion and metabolism before entering systemic circulation. Thus, the distinctive aspect of buccal administration is clearly its function through the mucous membranes of the mouth.