How to Take Sublingual Drops

Sublingual drops are a form of medication administration that allows the medicine to bypass the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream directly through the mucous membranes under the tongue. The drops are easy to administer, taking only a few seconds for each dose. However, multiple doses of medication may be needed for maximum effect. Doctors prescribe a variety of medications sublingually. For example, patients with angina pectoris, or chest pain, may be prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin to help ease an attack. Sublingual immunotherapy has replaced allergy shots to help patients develop an immunity to certain things in the environment. As with any medication, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and consult him if you have questions or concerns about your condition or the medication you are taking.

Things You'll Need

• Sublingual drops
• Vinyl gloves
• Gauze pad or small towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands. Fill the dropper with as much medication as the doctor prescribed or as is recommended on the label.

• 2

  Sit upright or place the patient in a seated position. This will help keep you or the patient from accidentally inhaling the drops into your lungs.

• 3

  Lift the tongue and administer the number of drops necessary. If you are giving the medication to someone who cannot lift her own tongue, hold her tongue up using a piece of gauze or a small towel.

• 4

  Close the mouth and keep the medication under the tongue until it has dissolved. It will be absorbed into the bloodstream within one to five minutes. When finished, wash your hands and throw away any used gauze.