Which medication administration route is illustrated by nitroglycerin tablets for angina?

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Rapid relief from angina relies on quick absorption through the oral mucosa. Nitroglycerin tablets are designed to be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, letting the drug enter the bloodstream directly through the sublingual tissues. This bypasses the stomach and liver, avoiding first-pass metabolism and producing a rapid onset—usually within a few minutes—to promptly relieve chest pain. Swallowing the tablet would slow absorption and make relief slower and less reliable. Other routes exist for different needs—intravenous for controlled hospital dosing, oral tablets for longer-term prevention, or transdermal forms—but for immediate relief during an attack, the sublingual route is preferred.