Question

Nitrostat® is an example of:

• A. CR tablet
• B. Bolus tablet
• C. Sublingual tablet
• D. Effervescent tablet

Hint:

Sublingual tablets are used for quick drug absorption through the mucous membranes under the tongue, bypassing the digestive system for faster effects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Nitrostat® is an example of a sublingual tablet. These tablets are designed to be placed under the tongue for rapid absorption, especially for drugs like nitroglycerin, which are used to treat chest pain (angina).

Answer 2

Nitrostat contains nitroglycerin, a drug used to relieve chest pain, and the way it is formulated depends entirely on how quickly the drug needs to act. Checking each tablet type:

1. CR tablet: Controlled-release, or CR, tablets are built to release drug slowly over hours, which would be far too slow for treating a sudden angina attack that needs relief within minutes.
2. Bolus tablet: A bolus tablet is typically a large tablet used in veterinary medicine, meant to be swallowed by large animals, and has no relevance to a human cardiac emergency medication.
3. Sublingual tablet: Placed under the tongue, a sublingual tablet dissolves quickly and is absorbed directly through the rich network of blood vessels in the oral mucosa. This route bypasses the liver's first-pass metabolism, giving a fast onset of action, exactly what is needed for nitroglycerin to relieve acute angina symptoms within a few minutes.
4. Effervescent tablet: Effervescent tablets are designed to be dissolved in a glass of water before drinking, releasing carbon dioxide as they dissolve, which is a completely different delivery method from placing a tablet under the tongue for emergency use.

Since nitroglycerin needs to act within minutes and avoid being broken down by the liver before reaching the bloodstream, the sublingual route, with its rich blood supply and direct absorption, is the format that matches its clinical use.

So the correct answer is Sublingual tablet.