What Is Oral Transmucosal

Oral transmucosal fentanyl is a medication used in the management and treatment of breakthrough pain. It is in the class of short-acting synthetic opioids.

How is transmucosal medication administered?

Passing directly into the bloodstream, they take action quickly while avoiding the damaging effects of gastric juices and liver metabolism. You can give drugs transmucosally at three sites: inside the cheek (buccally), under the tongue (sublingually), or on the tongue (translingually).

Is transmucosal local or systemic?

As noted, transmucosal drug delivery can either be local or systemic; in the examples above, drugs were administered buccally and sublingually with a systemic effect.