People around the world take some medicine from time to time. Sometimes a person takes medication for an acute condition such as a soar throat. Usually, the medication is then only used for a short period. Other people take medicine every day for long periods, even for the rest of their lives, for chronic conditions. In most instances, the medicine is in the form of a pill or capsule which the patient must swallow. Whatever the reason for taking pills, people sometimes experience difficulty swallowing the medication. Fortunately, most of the problems associated with swallowing pills can be eliminated by using troche medication.
What is troche medication?
It is a small, hard tablet that the patient places in the mouth, usually under the tongue, and lets it dissolve slowly. To understand this concept, think of a long-lasting cough lozenge kept in the mouth until it has dissolved completely.
The medication troche contains all the active medicinal ingredients than a normal pill. The difference between the two is the way they’re processed by the body. Medication troches let the bloodstream gradually absorbs the medicinal components. With a pill, the components first go to the stomach from where the bloodstream absorbs it.
It is true that even with troche medication not all the active ingredients go directly into the bloodstream. Some of it is swallowed as saliva and enters the digestive system. Despite this “loss”, it is generally accepted that at least 50% of the active ingredients are absorbed directly by the bloodstream. This is more as what is believed to be absorbed when the patient takes pills.
When are troche medicine used?
The principle of slow-dissolving medication is very old. Historians believe that types of lozenges to dissolve under the tongue have been used by Egyptian healers since at least 1000 BC. In modern times, troches are popular with medical practitioners and patients as an alternative to pills for various conditions. These conditions include the following:
- Hormone replacement therapy where progesterone troches, for instance, are used instead of standard pills. They provide hormones straight into the blood circulation, avoiding the stomach. Some hormones do not stay effective when they come into contact with digestive acids found in the stomach.
- Pain management to give faster relief than pills.
- Psychiatric conditions where consistent dosages are necessary.
- Paediatric medicine where children experience difficulty swallowing tablets or liquids.
- Mucosal, mouth and throat conditions.
More benefits of troche medicine
- Pills go to the digestive system and break down as a result of the interaction with stomach acids before the active ingredients can be sent to the liver to enter the bloodstream. Some of the active ingredients get lost in this long process. Troche medication goes directly into the bloodstream and almost none of the active ingredients are lost and medication absorption increases.
- It also tastes better than pills and most liquidised medicine. Patients, especially children, complete the whole cycle of medication much easier than with pills.
- Compared to pills, they are very liver- and gut-friendly and have fewer side effects. They are ideal for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
- Sometimes, elderly people have difficulty swallowing pills and is troche medicine the solution.
Preparation and how to use
A fully licensed and accredited troche compounding pharmacy can prepare and provide troche compounding medication. The patient places the final product in the mouth between the gum and the cheek to dissolve. It can also be placed under the tongue.
Just like a standard pill, it can be cut in half or quarters if the full dose is not required. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to dissolve completely. The patient can speed up the time by having a hot drink prior to putting it in the mouth. After the dissolving has been completed, wait at least 15 minutes to eat or drink anything. It is important not to swallow or chew it before it dissolves. The patients must also not go to sleep with it in their mouth.
Store the compounded medicine in a cool, dry space.
Conclusion
It is becoming common practice nowadays to use troche medication. Research and development of this type of medicine is ongoing. One of the newest developments, for instance, is NataTroche where natural ingredients are used. The bottom line is that the troche medications are a convenient alternative for pills.
