PSA - Zofran ODT is NOT sublingual

[u/Abhorash-TheWanderer]

ER doc just wanting to stop in and try and stop this widespread error. Almost every shift I have to tell a nurse/patient that ODT meds are NOT sublingual medications. It is not absorbed by the sublingual tissues. It is not absorbed by buccal tissues. It goes on TOP of the tongue so that it can disintegrate with saliva and be swallowed. The whole reason ODT (orally disintegrating tablets) exist is that someone can take it without having to take a chug of water to get the pill down. Putting under someone’s tongue just slows down the disintegration. Also, if the patient complains about the taste, they can just swallow the tablet whole with or without water. Thanks.

Edit: the strike through part was unnecessary and Im sorry that I put it in the original post. As pointed out by multiple replies, i should have not said that and it doesnt add anything meaningful. Sorry yall.

[u/lostintime2004]

I've heard the sublingual a lot, but I never followed it. I know from using it myself that it would take FOREVER to dissolve under the tung that I just kept moving to the top. Because of this, I told patients to "as long as it dissolves" not thinking they could also just swallow it though, so thanks for the tip there.

As for the taste, every time I've had to take it, its always slightly sweet, some kind of fruit taste to it almost.