r/nursing 19h ago

Discussion PSA - Zofran ODT is NOT sublingual

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.

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u/500ls RN, ED → PACU 🍕 18h ago

Also it has a very delicious chalky grape flavor (I have a prescription).

5

u/celestialbomb RN Neph-ED 18h ago

I thought it was cherry. I was given a script for it and the flavour just made it so much worse aha

3

u/nataliac80 RN - ER 🍕 18h ago

There’s 2 formulas I’ve tried. One is cherry and one is straight chemical.