Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Where should orally disintegrating tablet dosage forms be placed for effective dissolution?

1. Placed on the gums under the upper lip or under the cheek and allowed to disintegrate/dissolve

2. Placed under the tongue and allowed to disintegrate/dissolve

3. Placed on the tongue and allowed to disintegrate/dissolve

4. Swished around in the mouth, then spit out after 30 seconds

The correct answer is: Placed under the tongue and allowed to disintegrate/dissolve

Placing orally disintegrating tablet dosage forms under the tongue allows for effective dissolution due to the rich blood supply in this area, which facilitates rapid absorption into the bloodstream. This sublingual placement bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, which is particularly beneficial for medications that require fast action or have poor oral bioavailability. The unique formulation of these tablets is designed for quick disintegration, enabling the medication to dissolve swiftly and start taking effect much faster than traditional oral tablets. This method is often employed for certain medications that need to combat conditions such as nausea or pain rapidly. The other methods proposed do not align with the intended design of orally disintegrating tablets, as they may not ensure the same level of efficient absorption or may lead to swallowing the medication prematurely rather than allowing it to dissolve properly for optimal effect.